1 | 1 | | By: Truitt (Senate Sponsor - Harris) H.B. No. 2559 |
---|
2 | 2 | | (In the Senate - Received from the House April 20, 2011; |
---|
3 | 3 | | April 26, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on |
---|
4 | 4 | | Business and Commerce; May 3, 2011, reported favorably by the |
---|
5 | 5 | | following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 3, 2011, sent to printer.) |
---|
6 | 6 | | |
---|
7 | 7 | | |
---|
8 | 8 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
---|
9 | 9 | | AN ACT |
---|
10 | 10 | | relating to commercial motor vehicle installment sales. |
---|
11 | 11 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
---|
12 | 12 | | SECTION 1. Section 14.107(b), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
13 | 13 | | read as follows: |
---|
14 | 14 | | (b) The finance commission by rule shall set the fees for |
---|
15 | 15 | | licensing and examination, as applicable, under Chapter 342, 347, |
---|
16 | 16 | | 348, 351, 353, or 371 at amounts or rates necessary to recover the |
---|
17 | 17 | | costs of administering those chapters. The rules may provide that |
---|
18 | 18 | | the amount of a fee charged to a license holder is based on the |
---|
19 | 19 | | volume of the license holder's regulated business and other key |
---|
20 | 20 | | factors. The commissioner may provide for collection of a single |
---|
21 | 21 | | annual fee from a person licensed under Chapter 342, 347, 348, 351, |
---|
22 | 22 | | or 371 to include amounts due for both licensing and examination. |
---|
23 | 23 | | SECTION 2. Sections 303.001(b) and (c), Finance Code, are |
---|
24 | 24 | | amended to read as follows: |
---|
25 | 25 | | (b) A contract that is subject to Chapter 342, 345, 347, |
---|
26 | 26 | | [or] 348, or 353, including a contract for an open-end account, may, |
---|
27 | 27 | | as an alternative to an interest rate or amount of time price |
---|
28 | 28 | | differential allowed under that chapter, provide for a simple or |
---|
29 | 29 | | precomputed rate or amount of time price differential that does not |
---|
30 | 30 | | exceed the applicable ceiling provided by this chapter or by the |
---|
31 | 31 | | equivalent yield authorized by Chapter 342, 345, 347, [or] 348, or |
---|
32 | 32 | | 353. |
---|
33 | 33 | | (c) Except as inconsistent with this chapter, a party to a |
---|
34 | 34 | | contract that is subject to Chapter 342, 345, 347, [or] 348, or 353, |
---|
35 | 35 | | or the party's assignee, has all rights, duties, and obligations |
---|
36 | 36 | | under the applicable chapter, including those relating to refund |
---|
37 | 37 | | credits on prepayment or acceleration. |
---|
38 | 38 | | SECTION 3. Section 303.002, Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
39 | 39 | | read as follows: |
---|
40 | 40 | | Sec. 303.002. WEEKLY CEILING. The parties to a written |
---|
41 | 41 | | agreement may agree to an interest rate, or in an agreement |
---|
42 | 42 | | described by Chapter 345, 347, [or] 348, or 353, an amount of time |
---|
43 | 43 | | price differential producing a rate, that does not exceed the |
---|
44 | 44 | | applicable weekly ceiling. |
---|
45 | 45 | | SECTION 4. Section 303.402(a), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
46 | 46 | | read as follows: |
---|
47 | 47 | | (a) A person who contracts for, charges, or receives under a |
---|
48 | 48 | | contract subject to Chapter 342, 345, 346, 347, [or] 348, or 353, |
---|
49 | 49 | | including a contract for an open-end account, a rate or amount of |
---|
50 | 50 | | time price differential that exceeds the maximum applicable rate or |
---|
51 | 51 | | amount authorized by the applicable chapter or this chapter is |
---|
52 | 52 | | subject to a penalty for that violation determined under Chapter |
---|
53 | 53 | | 349. |
---|
54 | 54 | | SECTION 5. Section 307.051(f), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
55 | 55 | | read as follows: |
---|
56 | 56 | | (f) Collateral protection insurance does not include |
---|
57 | 57 | | insurance coverage that: |
---|
58 | 58 | | (1) is purchased by the creditor for which the debtor |
---|
59 | 59 | | is not charged; |
---|
60 | 60 | | (2) is purchased at the inception of a credit |
---|
61 | 61 | | transaction in which the debtor is a party or to which the debtor |
---|
62 | 62 | | agrees, whether or not costs are included in a payment plan under |
---|
63 | 63 | | the credit transaction; |
---|
64 | 64 | | (3) is maintained by the creditor for the protection |
---|
65 | 65 | | of collateral that comes into the possession or control of the |
---|
66 | 66 | | creditor through foreclosure, repossession, or a similar event; |
---|
67 | 67 | | (4) is credit insurance, mortgage protection |
---|
68 | 68 | | insurance, insurance issued to cover the life or health of the |
---|
69 | 69 | | debtor, or any other insurance maintained to cover the inability or |
---|
70 | 70 | | failure of the debtor to make payment under the credit agreement; |
---|
71 | 71 | | (5) is title insurance; |
---|
72 | 72 | | (6) is flood insurance required to be placed by |
---|
73 | 73 | | creditors under Section 102, National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 |
---|
74 | 74 | | (42 U.S.C. Section 4012a); or |
---|
75 | 75 | | (7) is insurance on a commercial vehicle securing a |
---|
76 | 76 | | retail installment contract under Chapter 353 [348]. |
---|
77 | 77 | | SECTION 6. Section 341.502(a), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
78 | 78 | | read as follows: |
---|
79 | 79 | | (a) A contract for a loan under Chapter 342, a retail |
---|
80 | 80 | | installment transaction under Chapter 348 [other than a contract |
---|
81 | 81 | | for a commercial vehicle], or a home equity loan regulated by the |
---|
82 | 82 | | Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner must be: |
---|
83 | 83 | | (1) written in plain language designed to be easily |
---|
84 | 84 | | understood by the average consumer; and |
---|
85 | 85 | | (2) printed in an easily readable font and type size. |
---|
86 | 86 | | SECTION 7. Section 348.001(1-a), Finance Code, as added by |
---|
87 | 87 | | Chapter 238 (S.B. 1965), Acts of the 81st Legislature, Regular |
---|
88 | 88 | | Session, 2009, and Section 348.001(2), Finance Code, are amended to |
---|
89 | 89 | | read as follows: |
---|
90 | 90 | | (1-a) "Commercial vehicle" has the meaning assigned by |
---|
91 | 91 | | Section 353.001 [means a motor vehicle that is not used primarily |
---|
92 | 92 | | for personal, family, or household use. The term includes: |
---|
93 | 93 | | [(A) a motor vehicle with a gross vehicular |
---|
94 | 94 | | weight of 10,001 pounds or more; |
---|
95 | 95 | | [(B) a motor vehicle that will be owned by a |
---|
96 | 96 | | corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or |
---|
97 | 97 | | other business entity formed, organized, or registered in this |
---|
98 | 98 | | state, another state, or another country; and |
---|
99 | 99 | | [(C) a motor vehicle that will be part of a fleet |
---|
100 | 100 | | of five or more vehicles owned by the same person]. |
---|
101 | 101 | | (2) "Heavy commercial vehicle" has the meaning |
---|
102 | 102 | | assigned by Section 353.001 [means: |
---|
103 | 103 | | [(A) a truck or truck tractor that: |
---|
104 | 104 | | [(i) has a gross vehicular weight of 19,000 |
---|
105 | 105 | | pounds or more; and |
---|
106 | 106 | | [(ii) is not used primarily for personal, |
---|
107 | 107 | | family, or household use; or |
---|
108 | 108 | | [(B) a trailer or semitrailer designed for use in |
---|
109 | 109 | | combination with a vehicle described by Paragraph (A)]. |
---|
110 | 110 | | SECTION 8. Section 348.0015(a), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
111 | 111 | | read as follows: |
---|
112 | 112 | | (a) A motor vehicle that is not described by Section |
---|
113 | 113 | | 353.001(1)(A) [348.001(1-a)(A)], (B), or (C) or a motor vehicle |
---|
114 | 114 | | that is of a type typically used for personal, family, or household |
---|
115 | 115 | | use, as determined by finance commission rule, is presumed not to be |
---|
116 | 116 | | a commercial vehicle. |
---|
117 | 117 | | SECTION 9. Section 348.006(c), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
118 | 118 | | read as follows: |
---|
119 | 119 | | (c) For a documentary fee to be included in the principal |
---|
120 | 120 | | balance of a retail installment contract: |
---|
121 | 121 | | (1) the retail seller must charge the documentary fee |
---|
122 | 122 | | to cash buyers and credit buyers; |
---|
123 | 123 | | (2) the documentary fee may not exceed[: |
---|
124 | 124 | | [(A) for a motor vehicle retail installment |
---|
125 | 125 | | contract other than a contract for a commercial vehicle,] a |
---|
126 | 126 | | reasonable amount agreed to by the retail seller and retail buyer |
---|
127 | 127 | | for the documentary services; [or |
---|
128 | 128 | | [(B) for a commercial vehicle retail installment |
---|
129 | 129 | | contract, an amount agreed to in writing by the retail seller and |
---|
130 | 130 | | retail buyer;] and |
---|
131 | 131 | | (3) [except for a buyer's order or retail installment |
---|
132 | 132 | | contract for a commercial vehicle,] the buyer's order and the |
---|
133 | 133 | | retail installment contract must include: |
---|
134 | 134 | | (A) a statement of the amount of the documentary |
---|
135 | 135 | | fee; and |
---|
136 | 136 | | (B) in reasonable proximity to the place in each |
---|
137 | 137 | | where the amount of the documentary fee is disclosed, the following |
---|
138 | 138 | | notice in type that is bold-faced, capitalized, underlined, or |
---|
139 | 139 | | otherwise conspicuously set out from surrounding written material: |
---|
140 | 140 | | "A DOCUMENTARY FEE IS NOT AN OFFICIAL FEE. A DOCUMENTARY FEE |
---|
141 | 141 | | IS NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, BUT MAY BE CHARGED TO BUYERS FOR HANDLING |
---|
142 | 142 | | DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE. A DOCUMENTARY FEE MAY NOT EXCEED A |
---|
143 | 143 | | REASONABLE AMOUNT AGREED TO BY THE PARTIES. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED |
---|
144 | 144 | | BY LAW." |
---|
145 | 145 | | SECTION 10. Section 348.007, Finance Code, is amended by |
---|
146 | 146 | | adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
---|
147 | 147 | | (d) A retail installment transaction in which a retail buyer |
---|
148 | 148 | | purchases a motor vehicle that is a commercial vehicle is not |
---|
149 | 149 | | subject to this chapter and is subject to Chapter 353 if the retail |
---|
150 | 150 | | installment contract states that Chapter 353 applies. |
---|
151 | 151 | | SECTION 11. Sections 348.104(b) and (c), Finance Code, are |
---|
152 | 152 | | amended to read as follows: |
---|
153 | 153 | | (b) The add-on charge is $7.50 per $100 per year on the |
---|
154 | 154 | | principal balance for a new motor vehicle[, other than a heavy |
---|
155 | 155 | | commercial vehicle,] designated by the manufacturer by a model year |
---|
156 | 156 | | that is not earlier than the year in which the sale is made. |
---|
157 | 157 | | (c) The add-on charge is $10 per $100 per year on the |
---|
158 | 158 | | principal balance for: |
---|
159 | 159 | | (1) a new motor vehicle not covered by Subsection (b); |
---|
160 | 160 | | or |
---|
161 | 161 | | (2) a used motor vehicle designated by the |
---|
162 | 162 | | manufacturer by a model year that is not more than two years before |
---|
163 | 163 | | the year in which the sale is made[; or |
---|
164 | 164 | | [(3) a new or used heavy commercial vehicle designated |
---|
165 | 165 | | by the manufacturer by a model year that is not more than two years |
---|
166 | 166 | | before the year in which the sale is made]. |
---|
167 | 167 | | SECTION 12. Section 348.107(a), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
168 | 168 | | read as follows: |
---|
169 | 169 | | (a) A retail installment contract may provide that if an |
---|
170 | 170 | | installment remains unpaid after the [10th day after the maturity |
---|
171 | 171 | | of the installment for a heavy commercial vehicle or after the] 15th |
---|
172 | 172 | | day after the maturity of the installment [for any other motor |
---|
173 | 173 | | vehicle] the holder may collect: |
---|
174 | 174 | | (1) a delinquency charge that does not exceed five |
---|
175 | 175 | | percent of the amount of the installment; or |
---|
176 | 176 | | (2) interest on the amount of the installment accruing |
---|
177 | 177 | | after the maturity of the installment and until the installment is |
---|
178 | 178 | | paid in full at a rate that does not exceed the maximum rate |
---|
179 | 179 | | authorized for the contract. |
---|
180 | 180 | | SECTION 13. Section 348.109, Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
181 | 181 | | read as follows: |
---|
182 | 182 | | Sec. 348.109. ACCELERATION OF DEBT MATURITY. A retail |
---|
183 | 183 | | installment contract may not authorize the holder to accelerate the |
---|
184 | 184 | | maturity of all or a part of the amount owed under the contract |
---|
185 | 185 | | unless: |
---|
186 | 186 | | (1) the retail buyer is in default in the performance |
---|
187 | 187 | | of any of the buyer's obligations; or |
---|
188 | 188 | | (2) the holder believes in good faith that the |
---|
189 | 189 | | prospect of buyer's payment or performance is impaired[; or |
---|
190 | 190 | | [(3) if the retail installment contract is for a |
---|
191 | 191 | | commercial vehicle, the retail buyer or an affiliate of the retail |
---|
192 | 192 | | buyer is in default in its obligations under another financing |
---|
193 | 193 | | agreement or leasing agreement held by the same holder or an |
---|
194 | 194 | | affiliate of the holder]. |
---|
195 | 195 | | SECTION 14. Section 348.120(b), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
196 | 196 | | read as follows: |
---|
197 | 197 | | (b) On a contract for a motor vehicle [other than a heavy |
---|
198 | 198 | | commercial vehicle] the minimum amount of the refund credit is |
---|
199 | 199 | | computed by: |
---|
200 | 200 | | (1) subtracting an acquisition cost of $25 from the |
---|
201 | 201 | | original time price differential; and |
---|
202 | 202 | | (2) multiplying the amount computed under Subdivision |
---|
203 | 203 | | (1) by the percentage of refund computed under Subsection (d). |
---|
204 | 204 | | SECTION 15. Section 348.213(b), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
205 | 205 | | read as follows: |
---|
206 | 206 | | (b) A policy of insurance described by Subsection (a) must |
---|
207 | 207 | | comply with the applicable requirements of Sections 348.201, |
---|
208 | 208 | | 348.203, [and] 348.208, and[, except if the policy relates to a |
---|
209 | 209 | | retail installment contract for a commercial vehicle, Section] |
---|
210 | 210 | | 348.209. |
---|
211 | 211 | | SECTION 16. Section 348.413(b), Finance Code, is amended to |
---|
212 | 212 | | read as follows: |
---|
213 | 213 | | (b) The holder may charge for the transfer of equity an |
---|
214 | 214 | | amount that does not exceed[: |
---|
215 | 215 | | [(1)] $25 [for a motor vehicle that is not a heavy |
---|
216 | 216 | | commercial vehicle; or |
---|
217 | 217 | | [(2) $50 for a heavy commercial vehicle]. |
---|
218 | 218 | | SECTION 17. Subtitle B, Title 4, Finance Code, is amended by |
---|
219 | 219 | | adding Chapter 353 to read as follows: |
---|
220 | 220 | | CHAPTER 353. COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE INSTALLMENT SALES |
---|
221 | 221 | | SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
---|
222 | 222 | | Sec. 353.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
---|
223 | 223 | | (1) "Commercial vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is |
---|
224 | 224 | | not used primarily for personal, family, or household use. The term |
---|
225 | 225 | | includes: |
---|
226 | 226 | | (A) a motor vehicle with a gross vehicular weight |
---|
227 | 227 | | of 10,001 pounds or more; |
---|
228 | 228 | | (B) a motor vehicle that will be owned by a |
---|
229 | 229 | | corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or |
---|
230 | 230 | | other business entity formed, organized, or registered in this |
---|
231 | 231 | | state, another state, or another country; and |
---|
232 | 232 | | (C) a motor vehicle that will be part of a fleet |
---|
233 | 233 | | of five or more vehicles owned by the same person. |
---|
234 | 234 | | (2) "Debt cancellation agreement" means an agreement |
---|
235 | 235 | | of the holder of the retail installment contract to waive: |
---|
236 | 236 | | (A) all or part of the difference between the |
---|
237 | 237 | | amount owed under a retail installment contract and the amount paid |
---|
238 | 238 | | under a physical damage insurance policy maintained by the retail |
---|
239 | 239 | | buyer or its assign, in the event of a total loss or theft of the |
---|
240 | 240 | | commercial vehicle; |
---|
241 | 241 | | (B) all or part of the amount owed under the |
---|
242 | 242 | | retail installment contract, in the event of the death of the retail |
---|
243 | 243 | | buyer; or |
---|
244 | 244 | | (C) one or more payments owed under the retail |
---|
245 | 245 | | installment contract, in the event of the disability of the retail |
---|
246 | 246 | | buyer. |
---|
247 | 247 | | (3) "Heavy commercial vehicle" means: |
---|
248 | 248 | | (A) a commercial vehicle that has a gross |
---|
249 | 249 | | vehicular weight of 19,000 pounds or more; or |
---|
250 | 250 | | (B) a trailer or semitrailer designed for use in |
---|
251 | 251 | | combination with a vehicle described by Paragraph (A). |
---|
252 | 252 | | (4) "Holder" means a person who is: |
---|
253 | 253 | | (A) a retail seller; or |
---|
254 | 254 | | (B) the assignee or transferee of a retail |
---|
255 | 255 | | installment contract. |
---|
256 | 256 | | (5) "Motor vehicle" has the meaning assigned by |
---|
257 | 257 | | Section 348.001. |
---|
258 | 258 | | (6) "Precomputed earnings method" means a method of |
---|
259 | 259 | | computing the time price differential in which the time price |
---|
260 | 260 | | differential is computed at the inception of the contract based on |
---|
261 | 261 | | the principal balance for the full contract term, as if the |
---|
262 | 262 | | principal balance under the contract will not decline over the term |
---|
263 | 263 | | of the contract, and in which the retail buyer agrees to pay the |
---|
264 | 264 | | total of payments that includes both the principal balance of the |
---|
265 | 265 | | contract and the time price differential. |
---|
266 | 266 | | (7) "Retail buyer" means a person who purchases or |
---|
267 | 267 | | agrees to purchase a commercial vehicle from a retail seller in a |
---|
268 | 268 | | retail installment transaction. |
---|
269 | 269 | | (8) "Retail installment contract" means one or more |
---|
270 | 270 | | instruments entered into in this state that evidence a retail |
---|
271 | 271 | | installment transaction. The term includes a security agreement and |
---|
272 | 272 | | a document that evidences a bailment or lease described by Section |
---|
273 | 273 | | 353.003. |
---|
274 | 274 | | (9) "Retail installment transaction" means a |
---|
275 | 275 | | transaction in which a retail buyer purchases a commercial vehicle |
---|
276 | 276 | | from a retail seller other than principally for the purpose of |
---|
277 | 277 | | resale and agrees with the retail seller to pay part or all of the |
---|
278 | 278 | | cash price in one or more deferred installments. |
---|
279 | 279 | | (10) "Retail seller" means a person in the business of |
---|
280 | 280 | | selling commercial vehicles to retail buyers in retail installment |
---|
281 | 281 | | transactions. |
---|
282 | 282 | | (11) "Scheduled installment earnings method" means a |
---|
283 | 283 | | method of computing the time price differential by applying a daily |
---|
284 | 284 | | rate to the unpaid principal balance as if each scheduled payment |
---|
285 | 285 | | will be paid on the payment's scheduled installment date. |
---|
286 | 286 | | (12) "Time price differential" means the total amount |
---|
287 | 287 | | added to the principal balance to determine the balance of the |
---|
288 | 288 | | retail buyer's indebtedness under a retail installment contract. |
---|
289 | 289 | | (13) "True daily earnings method" means a method of |
---|
290 | 290 | | computing the time price differential by applying a daily rate to |
---|
291 | 291 | | the unpaid principal balance based on the actual payment date as |
---|
292 | 292 | | provided by Section 353.016. |
---|
293 | 293 | | Sec. 353.002. PRESUMPTION REGARDING NONCOMMERCIAL |
---|
294 | 294 | | VEHICLES; EXCEPTION. (a) A motor vehicle that is not described by |
---|
295 | 295 | | Section 353.001(1)(A), (B), or (C) or a motor vehicle that is of a |
---|
296 | 296 | | type typically used for personal, family, or household use, as |
---|
297 | 297 | | determined by finance commission rule, is presumed not to be a |
---|
298 | 298 | | commercial vehicle. |
---|
299 | 299 | | (b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), if a retail buyer |
---|
300 | 300 | | represents in writing that a motor vehicle is not for personal, |
---|
301 | 301 | | family, or household use, or that the vehicle is for commercial use, |
---|
302 | 302 | | a retail seller or holder may rely on that representation unless the |
---|
303 | 303 | | retail seller or holder, as applicable, has actual knowledge that |
---|
304 | 304 | | the representation is not true. |
---|
305 | 305 | | Sec. 353.003. BAILMENT OR LEASE AS RETAIL INSTALLMENT |
---|
306 | 306 | | TRANSACTION. (a) A bailment or lease of a commercial vehicle is a |
---|
307 | 307 | | retail installment transaction if the bailee or lessee: |
---|
308 | 308 | | (1) contracts to pay as compensation for use of the |
---|
309 | 309 | | vehicle an amount that is substantially equal to or exceeds the |
---|
310 | 310 | | value of the vehicle; and |
---|
311 | 311 | | (2) on full compliance with the bailment or lease is |
---|
312 | 312 | | bound to become the owner or, for no or nominal additional |
---|
313 | 313 | | consideration, has the option to become the owner of the vehicle. |
---|
314 | 314 | | (b) An agreement for the lease of a commercial vehicle does |
---|
315 | 315 | | not create a retail installment transaction by merely providing |
---|
316 | 316 | | that the rental price is permitted or required to be adjusted under |
---|
317 | 317 | | the agreement as determined by the amount realized on the sale or |
---|
318 | 318 | | other disposition of the vehicle, as provided by Section 501.112, |
---|
319 | 319 | | Transportation Code. |
---|
320 | 320 | | Sec. 353.004. CLASSIFICATION AS RETAIL INSTALLMENT |
---|
321 | 321 | | TRANSACTION UNAFFECTED. A transaction is not excluded as a retail |
---|
322 | 322 | | installment transaction because: |
---|
323 | 323 | | (1) the retail seller arranges to transfer the retail |
---|
324 | 324 | | buyer's obligation; |
---|
325 | 325 | | (2) the amount of any charge in the transaction is |
---|
326 | 326 | | determined by reference to a chart or other information furnished |
---|
327 | 327 | | by a financing institution; |
---|
328 | 328 | | (3) a form for all or part of the retail installment |
---|
329 | 329 | | contract is furnished by a financing institution; or |
---|
330 | 330 | | (4) the credit standing of the retail buyer is |
---|
331 | 331 | | evaluated by a financing institution. |
---|
332 | 332 | | Sec. 353.005. CASH PRICE. (a) The cash price is the price |
---|
333 | 333 | | at which the retail seller offers in the ordinary course of business |
---|
334 | 334 | | to sell for cash the goods or services that are subject to the |
---|
335 | 335 | | transaction. An advertised price does not necessarily establish a |
---|
336 | 336 | | cash price. |
---|
337 | 337 | | (b) The cash price does not include any finance charge. |
---|
338 | 338 | | (c) At the retail seller's option, the cash price may |
---|
339 | 339 | | include: |
---|
340 | 340 | | (1) the price of accessories; |
---|
341 | 341 | | (2) the price of services related to the sale; |
---|
342 | 342 | | (3) the price of service contracts; |
---|
343 | 343 | | (4) taxes; and |
---|
344 | 344 | | (5) fees for license, title, and registration. |
---|
345 | 345 | | Sec. 353.006. ITEMIZED CHARGE. An amount in a retail |
---|
346 | 346 | | installment contract is an itemized charge if the amount is not |
---|
347 | 347 | | included in the cash price and is the amount of: |
---|
348 | 348 | | (1) fees for registration, certificate of title, and |
---|
349 | 349 | | license and any additional registration fees charged by a full |
---|
350 | 350 | | service deputy under Section 502.114, Transportation Code; |
---|
351 | 351 | | (2) any taxes; |
---|
352 | 352 | | (3) fees or charges prescribed by law and connected |
---|
353 | 353 | | with the sale or inspection of the commercial vehicle; |
---|
354 | 354 | | (4) charges authorized for insurance, service |
---|
355 | 355 | | contracts, and warranties by Subchapter C; and |
---|
356 | 356 | | (5) advances or payments authorized under Section |
---|
357 | 357 | | 353.402(b) or (c) made by the retail seller to or for the benefit of |
---|
358 | 358 | | the retail buyer. |
---|
359 | 359 | | Sec. 353.007. ADDITIONAL CHARGES PERMITTED. (a) In |
---|
360 | 360 | | addition to the amounts allowed under Sections 353.005 and 353.006, |
---|
361 | 361 | | the following amounts may be included as an itemized charge or in |
---|
362 | 362 | | the cash price in a retail installment contract for a commercial |
---|
363 | 363 | | vehicle: |
---|
364 | 364 | | (1) any fees prescribed by law; |
---|
365 | 365 | | (2) any amounts charged by a titling or registration |
---|
366 | 366 | | service relating to the sale; |
---|
367 | 367 | | (3) any other amount agreed to by the retail buyer and |
---|
368 | 368 | | retail seller, including amounts payable to the retail seller or |
---|
369 | 369 | | another person for the provision of goods or services relating to: |
---|
370 | 370 | | (A) the commercial vehicle; |
---|
371 | 371 | | (B) the sale or use of the commercial vehicle; or |
---|
372 | 372 | | (C) the retail buyer's business in which the |
---|
373 | 373 | | commercial vehicle will be used; and |
---|
374 | 374 | | (4) an amount paid to the retail seller or other person |
---|
375 | 375 | | as consideration for a debt cancellation agreement. |
---|
376 | 376 | | (b) If a charge for a debt cancellation agreement is |
---|
377 | 377 | | included in the contract, the contract and debt cancellation |
---|
378 | 378 | | agreement must each conspicuously disclose that the debt |
---|
379 | 379 | | cancellation agreement is optional. |
---|
380 | 380 | | (c) Notwithstanding any other law, a charge for a debt |
---|
381 | 381 | | cancellation agreement is not a charge for insurance, and the sale, |
---|
382 | 382 | | provision, or waiving of a balance owed or other action relating to |
---|
383 | 383 | | a debt cancellation agreement is not considered insurance or |
---|
384 | 384 | | engaging in the business of insurance. |
---|
385 | 385 | | Sec. 353.008. PRINCIPAL BALANCE; INCLUSION OF DOCUMENTARY |
---|
386 | 386 | | FEE. (a) The principal balance under a retail installment contract |
---|
387 | 387 | | is computed by: |
---|
388 | 388 | | (1) adding: |
---|
389 | 389 | | (A) the cash price of the commercial vehicle; |
---|
390 | 390 | | (B) each amount included in the retail |
---|
391 | 391 | | installment contract for an itemized charge; and |
---|
392 | 392 | | (C) subject to Subsection (c), a documentary fee |
---|
393 | 393 | | for services rendered for or on behalf of the retail buyer in |
---|
394 | 394 | | handling and processing documents relating to the sale of the |
---|
395 | 395 | | commercial vehicle; and |
---|
396 | 396 | | (2) subtracting from the results under Subdivision (1) |
---|
397 | 397 | | the amount of the retail buyer's down payment in money, goods, or |
---|
398 | 398 | | both. |
---|
399 | 399 | | (b) The computation of the principal balance may include an |
---|
400 | 400 | | amount authorized under Section 353.402(b). |
---|
401 | 401 | | (c) For a documentary fee to be included in the principal |
---|
402 | 402 | | balance of a retail installment contract: |
---|
403 | 403 | | (1) the retail seller must charge the documentary fee |
---|
404 | 404 | | to cash buyers and credit buyers; and |
---|
405 | 405 | | (2) the documentary fee may not exceed an amount |
---|
406 | 406 | | agreed to in writing by the retail seller and retail buyer. |
---|
407 | 407 | | Sec. 353.009. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. (a) Except as |
---|
408 | 408 | | provided by this section, this chapter applies to a retail |
---|
409 | 409 | | installment transaction for a commercial vehicle if the retail |
---|
410 | 410 | | installment contract states that this chapter applies. |
---|
411 | 411 | | (b) If a retail installment contract does not state that |
---|
412 | 412 | | this chapter applies, the transaction is governed by Chapter 348, |
---|
413 | 413 | | and this chapter does not apply. |
---|
414 | 414 | | (c) This chapter does not affect or apply to a loan made or |
---|
415 | 415 | | the business of making loans under other law of this state and does |
---|
416 | 416 | | not affect a rule of law applicable to a retail installment sale |
---|
417 | 417 | | that is not a retail installment transaction. |
---|
418 | 418 | | (d) The provisions of this chapter defining specific rates |
---|
419 | 419 | | and amounts of charges and requiring certain credit disclosures to |
---|
420 | 420 | | be made control over any contrary law of this state respecting those |
---|
421 | 421 | | subjects. |
---|
422 | 422 | | Sec. 353.010. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER STATUTES TO RETAIL |
---|
423 | 423 | | INSTALLMENT TRANSACTION. (a) A loan or interest statute of this |
---|
424 | 424 | | state, other than Chapter 303, does not apply to a retail |
---|
425 | 425 | | installment transaction subject to this chapter. |
---|
426 | 426 | | (b) Except as provided by this chapter, an applicable |
---|
427 | 427 | | statute, including Title 1 and Chapter 322, Business & Commerce |
---|
428 | 428 | | Code, or a principle of common law continues to apply to a retail |
---|
429 | 429 | | installment transaction unless it is displaced by this chapter. |
---|
430 | 430 | | Sec. 353.011. FEDERAL DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS. If a |
---|
431 | 431 | | disclosure requirement of this chapter and one of a federal law, |
---|
432 | 432 | | including a regulation or an interpretation of federal law, are |
---|
433 | 433 | | inconsistent or conflict, federal law controls and the inconsistent |
---|
434 | 434 | | or conflicting disclosures required by this chapter need not be |
---|
435 | 435 | | given. |
---|
436 | 436 | | Sec. 353.012. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ALLOWED IN CONTRACT. |
---|
437 | 437 | | Information not required by this chapter may be included in a retail |
---|
438 | 438 | | installment contract. |
---|
439 | 439 | | Sec. 353.013. ORDER OF ITEMS IN CONTRACT. Items required by |
---|
440 | 440 | | this chapter to be in a retail installment contract are not required |
---|
441 | 441 | | to be stated in the order set forth in this chapter. |
---|
442 | 442 | | Sec. 353.014. APPLICABILITY OF INSURANCE PREMIUM FINANCING |
---|
443 | 443 | | PROVISIONS. Chapter 651, Insurance Code, does not apply to a retail |
---|
444 | 444 | | installment transaction. |
---|
445 | 445 | | Sec. 353.015. CONDITIONAL DELIVERY AGREEMENT. (a) In this |
---|
446 | 446 | | section, "conditional delivery agreement" means a contract between |
---|
447 | 447 | | a retail seller and prospective retail buyer under the terms of |
---|
448 | 448 | | which the retail seller allows the prospective retail buyer the use |
---|
449 | 449 | | and benefit of a commercial vehicle for a specified term. |
---|
450 | 450 | | (b) A retail seller and prospective retail buyer may enter |
---|
451 | 451 | | into a conditional delivery agreement. |
---|
452 | 452 | | (c) A conditional delivery agreement is: |
---|
453 | 453 | | (1) an enforceable contract; and |
---|
454 | 454 | | (2) void on the execution of a retail installment |
---|
455 | 455 | | contract between the parties to the conditional delivery agreement |
---|
456 | 456 | | for the sale of the commercial vehicle that is the subject of the |
---|
457 | 457 | | conditional delivery agreement. |
---|
458 | 458 | | (d) A conditional delivery agreement may only confer rights |
---|
459 | 459 | | consistent with this section and may not confer any legal or |
---|
460 | 460 | | equitable rights of ownership, including ownership of the |
---|
461 | 461 | | commercial vehicle that is the subject of the conditional delivery |
---|
462 | 462 | | agreement. |
---|
463 | 463 | | (e) A conditional delivery agreement may not exceed a term |
---|
464 | 464 | | of 15 days. |
---|
465 | 465 | | (f) If a prospective retail buyer tenders to a retail seller |
---|
466 | 466 | | a trade-in motor vehicle in connection with a conditional delivery |
---|
467 | 467 | | agreement: |
---|
468 | 468 | | (1) the parties must agree on the value of the trade-in |
---|
469 | 469 | | motor vehicle; |
---|
470 | 470 | | (2) the conditional delivery agreement must contain |
---|
471 | 471 | | the agreed value of the trade-in motor vehicle described by |
---|
472 | 472 | | Subdivision (1); and |
---|
473 | 473 | | (3) the retail seller must use reasonable care to |
---|
474 | 474 | | conserve the trade-in motor vehicle while the vehicle is in the |
---|
475 | 475 | | retail seller's possession. |
---|
476 | 476 | | (g) If the parties to a conditional delivery agreement do |
---|
477 | 477 | | not subsequently enter into a retail installment contract for the |
---|
478 | 478 | | sale of the commercial vehicle that is the subject of the |
---|
479 | 479 | | conditional delivery agreement, the retail seller shall, not later |
---|
480 | 480 | | than the seventh day after termination of the conditional delivery |
---|
481 | 481 | | agreement: |
---|
482 | 482 | | (1) deliver to the prospective retail buyer any |
---|
483 | 483 | | trade-in motor vehicle that the prospective retail buyer tendered |
---|
484 | 484 | | in connection with the conditional delivery agreement in the same |
---|
485 | 485 | | or substantially the same condition as it was at the time of |
---|
486 | 486 | | execution of the agreement and shall return any down payment or |
---|
487 | 487 | | other consideration received from the prospective retail buyer in |
---|
488 | 488 | | connection with the agreement; or |
---|
489 | 489 | | (2) if the trade-in motor vehicle cannot be returned |
---|
490 | 490 | | in the same or substantially the same condition as it was at the |
---|
491 | 491 | | time of execution of the conditional delivery agreement, deliver to |
---|
492 | 492 | | the prospective retail buyer a sum of money equal to the agreed |
---|
493 | 493 | | value of the trade-in motor vehicle as described by Subsection (f) |
---|
494 | 494 | | and shall return any down payment or other consideration described |
---|
495 | 495 | | by Subdivision (1). |
---|
496 | 496 | | (h) Any money that a retail seller is obligated to provide a |
---|
497 | 497 | | prospective retail buyer under Subsection (g) must be tendered at |
---|
498 | 498 | | the same time that the trade-in motor vehicle is delivered for |
---|
499 | 499 | | return to the prospective retail buyer or when the trade-in motor |
---|
500 | 500 | | vehicle would have been delivered if the vehicle was damaged or |
---|
501 | 501 | | could not be returned. |
---|
502 | 502 | | (i) If a prospective retail buyer returns a commercial |
---|
503 | 503 | | vehicle under a conditional delivery agreement at the request of |
---|
504 | 504 | | the retail seller, the retail seller, notwithstanding the period |
---|
505 | 505 | | prescribed by Subsection (g), must return the trade-in vehicle at |
---|
506 | 506 | | the same time that the commercial vehicle under the conditional |
---|
507 | 507 | | delivery agreement is returned by the prospective retail buyer. |
---|
508 | 508 | | (j) The prospective retail buyer shall return the |
---|
509 | 509 | | commercial vehicle received under the conditional delivery |
---|
510 | 510 | | agreement in the same or substantially the same condition as it was |
---|
511 | 511 | | at the time of the execution of the conditional delivery agreement. |
---|
512 | 512 | | (k) An amount paid or required to be paid by the retail |
---|
513 | 513 | | seller under Subsection (g) is subject to review by the |
---|
514 | 514 | | commissioner. If the commissioner determines that the retail |
---|
515 | 515 | | seller in fact owes the prospective retail buyer a certain amount |
---|
516 | 516 | | under Subsection (g), the commissioner may order the retail seller |
---|
517 | 517 | | to pay the amount to the prospective retail buyer. If the trade-in |
---|
518 | 518 | | motor vehicle is not returned by the retail seller in accordance |
---|
519 | 519 | | with this section and the retail seller does not pay the prospective |
---|
520 | 520 | | retail buyer an amount equal to the agreed value of the trade-in |
---|
521 | 521 | | motor vehicle within the period prescribed by this section, the |
---|
522 | 522 | | commissioner may assess an administrative penalty against the |
---|
523 | 523 | | retail seller in an amount that is reasonable in relation to the |
---|
524 | 524 | | value of the trade-in motor vehicle. The commissioner shall |
---|
525 | 525 | | provide notice to the retail seller and the prospective retail |
---|
526 | 526 | | buyer of the commissioner's determination under this subsection. |
---|
527 | 527 | | (l) Not later than the 30th day after the date the parties |
---|
528 | 528 | | receive notice of the commissioner's determination under |
---|
529 | 529 | | Subsection (k), the retail seller or prospective retail buyer may |
---|
530 | 530 | | file with the commissioner an appeal of the commissioner's |
---|
531 | 531 | | determination requesting a time and place for a hearing before a |
---|
532 | 532 | | hearings officer designated by the commissioner. A hearing under |
---|
533 | 533 | | this subsection is governed by Chapter 2001, Government Code. |
---|
534 | 534 | | After the hearing, based on the findings of fact, conclusions of |
---|
535 | 535 | | law, and recommendations of the hearings officer, the commissioner |
---|
536 | 536 | | shall enter a final order. |
---|
537 | 537 | | (m) A person who files an appeal under Subsection (l) is |
---|
538 | 538 | | required to pay a deposit to secure the payment of the costs of the |
---|
539 | 539 | | hearing in a reasonable amount as determined by the commissioner, |
---|
540 | 540 | | unless the person cannot afford to pay the deposit and files an |
---|
541 | 541 | | affidavit to that effect with the hearings officer in the form and |
---|
542 | 542 | | content prescribed by finance commission rule. The entire deposit |
---|
543 | 543 | | must be refunded to the person if the person prevails at the |
---|
544 | 544 | | hearing. If the person does not prevail, any portion of the deposit |
---|
545 | 545 | | in excess of the costs of the hearing assessed against the person is |
---|
546 | 546 | | refundable. |
---|
547 | 547 | | (n) Notice of the commissioner's final order under |
---|
548 | 548 | | Subsection (l), given to the person in accordance with Chapter |
---|
549 | 549 | | 2001, Government Code, must include a statement of the person's |
---|
550 | 550 | | right to judicial review of the order. |
---|
551 | 551 | | (o) The hearings officer may order the retail seller or the |
---|
552 | 552 | | prospective retail buyer, or both, to pay reasonable expenses |
---|
553 | 553 | | incurred by the commissioner in connection with obtaining a final |
---|
554 | 554 | | order under Subsection (l), including attorney's fees, |
---|
555 | 555 | | investigative costs, and witness fees. |
---|
556 | 556 | | (p) This section does not: |
---|
557 | 557 | | (1) apply to a bailment agreement under Section |
---|
558 | 558 | | 353.003; or |
---|
559 | 559 | | (2) create a private right of action. |
---|
560 | 560 | | (q) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the |
---|
561 | 561 | | commissioner has exclusive jurisdiction to enforce this section. |
---|
562 | 562 | | Sec. 353.016. COMPUTATION OF TIME PRICE DIFFERENTIAL USING |
---|
563 | 563 | | TRUE DAILY EARNINGS METHOD. Under the true daily earnings method, |
---|
564 | 564 | | the earned time price differential is computed by multiplying the |
---|
565 | 565 | | daily rate of the time price differential by the number of days the |
---|
566 | 566 | | actual unpaid principal balance is outstanding. Under this method: |
---|
567 | 567 | | (1) a payment is credited at the time received, with a |
---|
568 | 568 | | payment received before the scheduled installment date resulting in |
---|
569 | 569 | | a greater reduction in the unpaid principal balance than otherwise |
---|
570 | 570 | | scheduled, and a payment received after the scheduled installment |
---|
571 | 571 | | date resulting in less of a reduction in the unpaid principal |
---|
572 | 572 | | balance than otherwise scheduled; |
---|
573 | 573 | | (2) a partial payment is applied first to time price |
---|
574 | 574 | | differential with any remainder applied to the unpaid principal |
---|
575 | 575 | | balance; and |
---|
576 | 576 | | (3) accrued but unpaid time price differential is not: |
---|
577 | 577 | | (A) added to the unpaid principal balance; or |
---|
578 | 578 | | (B) compounded. |
---|
579 | 579 | | [Sections 353.017-353.100 reserved for expansion] |
---|
580 | 580 | | SUBCHAPTER B. RETAIL INSTALLMENT CONTRACT |
---|
581 | 581 | | Sec. 353.101. RETAIL INSTALLMENT CONTRACT GENERAL |
---|
582 | 582 | | REQUIREMENTS. (a) A retail installment contract is required for |
---|
583 | 583 | | each retail installment transaction in which the retail buyer is |
---|
584 | 584 | | purchasing a commercial vehicle. A retail installment contract may |
---|
585 | 585 | | be more than one document. |
---|
586 | 586 | | (b) A retail installment contract must be: |
---|
587 | 587 | | (1) in writing; |
---|
588 | 588 | | (2) dated; |
---|
589 | 589 | | (3) signed by the retail buyer and retail seller; and |
---|
590 | 590 | | (4) completed as to all essential provisions before it |
---|
591 | 591 | | is signed by the retail buyer except as provided by Subsection (d). |
---|
592 | 592 | | (c) The printed part of a retail installment contract, other |
---|
593 | 593 | | than instructions for completion, must be in at least eight-point |
---|
594 | 594 | | type unless a different size of type is required under this |
---|
595 | 595 | | subchapter. |
---|
596 | 596 | | (d) If the commercial vehicle is not delivered when the |
---|
597 | 597 | | retail installment contract is executed, the following information |
---|
598 | 598 | | may be inserted after the contract is executed: |
---|
599 | 599 | | (1) the identifying numbers or marks of the vehicle or |
---|
600 | 600 | | similar information; and |
---|
601 | 601 | | (2) the due date of the first installment. |
---|
602 | 602 | | Sec. 353.102. CONTRACT CONDITIONED ON SUBSEQUENT |
---|
603 | 603 | | ASSIGNMENT PROHIBITED. (a) A retail installment contract may not |
---|
604 | 604 | | be conditioned on the subsequent assignment of the contract to a |
---|
605 | 605 | | holder. |
---|
606 | 606 | | (b) A provision in violation of this section is void. This |
---|
607 | 607 | | subsection does not affect the validity of other provisions of the |
---|
608 | 608 | | contract that may be given effect without the voided provision, and |
---|
609 | 609 | | to that extent those provisions are severable. |
---|
610 | 610 | | (c) This section does not create a private right of action. |
---|
611 | 611 | | (d) The commissioner has exclusive jurisdiction to enforce |
---|
612 | 612 | | this section. |
---|
613 | 613 | | Sec. 353.103. TIME PRICE DIFFERENTIAL FOR RETAIL |
---|
614 | 614 | | INSTALLMENT CONTRACT. (a) A retail installment contract may |
---|
615 | 615 | | provide for: |
---|
616 | 616 | | (1) any amount of time price differential permitted |
---|
617 | 617 | | under Section 353.104, 353.105, or 353.106; or |
---|
618 | 618 | | (2) any rate of time price differential not exceeding |
---|
619 | 619 | | a yield permitted under Section 353.104, 353.105, or 353.106. |
---|
620 | 620 | | (b) The time price differential may be computed using the: |
---|
621 | 621 | | (1) precomputed earnings method; |
---|
622 | 622 | | (2) scheduled installment earnings method; or |
---|
623 | 623 | | (3) true daily earnings method. |
---|
624 | 624 | | Sec. 353.104. TIME PRICE DIFFERENTIAL FOR CONTRACT WITH |
---|
625 | 625 | | EQUAL MONTHLY SUCCESSIVE PAYMENTS. (a) A retail installment |
---|
626 | 626 | | contract that is payable in substantially equal successive monthly |
---|
627 | 627 | | installments beginning one month after the date of the contract may |
---|
628 | 628 | | provide for a time price differential that does not exceed the |
---|
629 | 629 | | add-on charge provided by this section. |
---|
630 | 630 | | (b) The add-on charge is $7.50 per $100 per year on the |
---|
631 | 631 | | principal balance for a new commercial vehicle, other than a heavy |
---|
632 | 632 | | commercial vehicle, designated by the manufacturer by a model year |
---|
633 | 633 | | that is not earlier than the year in which the sale is made. |
---|
634 | 634 | | (c) The add-on charge is $10 per $100 per year on the |
---|
635 | 635 | | principal balance for: |
---|
636 | 636 | | (1) a new commercial vehicle not covered by Subsection |
---|
637 | 637 | | (b); |
---|
638 | 638 | | (2) a used commercial vehicle designated by the |
---|
639 | 639 | | manufacturer by a model year that is not more than two years before |
---|
640 | 640 | | the year in which the sale is made; or |
---|
641 | 641 | | (3) a new or used heavy commercial vehicle designated |
---|
642 | 642 | | by the manufacturer by a model year that is not more than two years |
---|
643 | 643 | | before the year in which the sale is made. |
---|
644 | 644 | | (d) The add-on charge is $12.50 per $100 per year on the |
---|
645 | 645 | | principal balance for a used commercial vehicle not covered by |
---|
646 | 646 | | Subsection (c) that is a commercial vehicle designated by the |
---|
647 | 647 | | manufacturer by a model year that is not more than four years before |
---|
648 | 648 | | the year in which the sale is made. |
---|
649 | 649 | | (e) For a used commercial vehicle not covered by Subsection |
---|
650 | 650 | | (c) or (d), the add-on charge is: |
---|
651 | 651 | | (1) $15 per $100 per year on the principal balance; or |
---|
652 | 652 | | (2) $18 per $100 per year on the principal balance if |
---|
653 | 653 | | the principal balance under the retail installment contract does |
---|
654 | 654 | | not exceed $300. |
---|
655 | 655 | | (f) The time price differential is computed on the original |
---|
656 | 656 | | principal balance under the retail installment contract from the |
---|
657 | 657 | | date of the contract until the maturity of the final installment, |
---|
658 | 658 | | notwithstanding that the balance is payable in installments. |
---|
659 | 659 | | (g) If the retail installment contract is payable for a |
---|
660 | 660 | | period that is shorter or longer than a year or is for an amount that |
---|
661 | 661 | | is less or greater than $100, the amount of the maximum time price |
---|
662 | 662 | | differential computed under this section is decreased or increased |
---|
663 | 663 | | proportionately. |
---|
664 | 664 | | (h) For the purpose of a computation under this section, 16 |
---|
665 | 665 | | or more days of a month may be considered a full month. |
---|
666 | 666 | | Sec. 353.105. USE OF OPTIONAL CEILING. As an alternative to |
---|
667 | 667 | | the maximum rate or amount authorized for a time price differential |
---|
668 | 668 | | under Section 353.104 or 353.106, a retail installment contract may |
---|
669 | 669 | | provide for a rate or amount of time price differential that does |
---|
670 | 670 | | not exceed the rate or amount authorized by Chapter 303. |
---|
671 | 671 | | Sec. 353.106. TIME PRICE DIFFERENTIAL FOR OTHER CONTRACTS. |
---|
672 | 672 | | A retail installment contract that is payable other than in |
---|
673 | 673 | | substantially equal successive monthly installments or the first |
---|
674 | 674 | | installment of which is not payable one month from the date of the |
---|
675 | 675 | | contract may provide for a time price differential that does not |
---|
676 | 676 | | exceed an amount that, having due regard for the schedule of |
---|
677 | 677 | | payments, provides the same effective return as if the contract |
---|
678 | 678 | | were payable in substantially equal successive monthly |
---|
679 | 679 | | installments beginning one month from the date of the contract. |
---|
680 | 680 | | Sec. 353.107. CHARGE FOR DEFAULT IN PAYMENT OF INSTALLMENT. |
---|
681 | 681 | | (a) A retail installment contract may provide that if an |
---|
682 | 682 | | installment remains unpaid after the 10th day after the maturity of |
---|
683 | 683 | | the installment for a heavy commercial vehicle or after the 15th day |
---|
684 | 684 | | after the maturity of the installment for any other commercial |
---|
685 | 685 | | vehicle the holder may collect: |
---|
686 | 686 | | (1) a delinquency charge that does not exceed five |
---|
687 | 687 | | percent of the amount of the installment; or |
---|
688 | 688 | | (2) interest on the amount of the installment accruing |
---|
689 | 689 | | after the maturity of the installment and until the installment is |
---|
690 | 690 | | paid in full at a rate that does not exceed the maximum rate |
---|
691 | 691 | | authorized for the contract. |
---|
692 | 692 | | (b) A retail installment contract that provides for the true |
---|
693 | 693 | | daily earnings method or the scheduled installment earnings method |
---|
694 | 694 | | may provide for the delinquency charge authorized by Subsection |
---|
695 | 695 | | (a)(1), the interest authorized by Subsection (a)(2), or both. |
---|
696 | 696 | | (c) Only one delinquency charge under Subsection (a)(1) may |
---|
697 | 697 | | be collected on an installment under this section regardless of the |
---|
698 | 698 | | duration of the default. |
---|
699 | 699 | | Sec. 353.108. CHARGES FOR COLLECTING DEBT. A retail |
---|
700 | 700 | | installment contract may provide for the payment of: |
---|
701 | 701 | | (1) reasonable attorney's fees if the contract is |
---|
702 | 702 | | referred for collection to an attorney who is not a salaried |
---|
703 | 703 | | employee of the holder; |
---|
704 | 704 | | (2) court costs and disbursements; and |
---|
705 | 705 | | (3) reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in |
---|
706 | 706 | | connection with the repossession or sequestration of the commercial |
---|
707 | 707 | | vehicle securing the payment of the contract or foreclosure of a |
---|
708 | 708 | | security interest in the vehicle, including the costs of storing, |
---|
709 | 709 | | reconditioning, and reselling the vehicle, subject to the standards |
---|
710 | 710 | | of good faith and commercial reasonableness set by Title 1, |
---|
711 | 711 | | Business & Commerce Code. |
---|
712 | 712 | | Sec. 353.109. ACCELERATION OF DEBT MATURITY. A retail |
---|
713 | 713 | | installment contract may not authorize the holder to accelerate the |
---|
714 | 714 | | maturity of all or a part of the amount owed under the contract |
---|
715 | 715 | | unless: |
---|
716 | 716 | | (1) the retail buyer is in default in the performance |
---|
717 | 717 | | of any of the buyer's obligations; |
---|
718 | 718 | | (2) the holder believes in good faith that the |
---|
719 | 719 | | prospect of the buyer's payment or performance is impaired; or |
---|
720 | 720 | | (3) the retail buyer or an affiliate of the retail |
---|
721 | 721 | | buyer is in default in its obligations under another financing |
---|
722 | 722 | | agreement or leasing agreement held by the same holder or an |
---|
723 | 723 | | affiliate of the holder. |
---|
724 | 724 | | Sec. 353.110. DELIVERY OF COPY OF CONTRACT. A retail seller |
---|
725 | 725 | | shall: |
---|
726 | 726 | | (1) deliver to the retail buyer a copy of the retail |
---|
727 | 727 | | installment contract as accepted by the retail seller; or |
---|
728 | 728 | | (2) mail to the retail buyer at the address shown on |
---|
729 | 729 | | the retail installment contract a copy of the retail installment |
---|
730 | 730 | | contract as accepted by the retail seller. |
---|
731 | 731 | | Sec. 353.111. BUYER'S RIGHT TO RESCIND CONTRACT. Until the |
---|
732 | 732 | | retail seller complies with Section 353.110, a retail buyer who has |
---|
733 | 733 | | not received delivery of the commercial vehicle is entitled to: |
---|
734 | 734 | | (1) rescind the contract; |
---|
735 | 735 | | (2) receive a refund of all payments made under or in |
---|
736 | 736 | | contemplation of the contract; and |
---|
737 | 737 | | (3) receive the return of all goods traded in to the |
---|
738 | 738 | | retail seller under or in contemplation of the contract or, if those |
---|
739 | 739 | | goods cannot be returned, to receive the value of those goods. |
---|
740 | 740 | | Sec. 353.112. BUYER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DELIVERY OF |
---|
741 | 741 | | CONTRACT COPY. (a) Any retail buyer's acknowledgment of delivery |
---|
742 | 742 | | of a copy of the retail installment contract must: |
---|
743 | 743 | | (1) be in at least 10-point type that is boldfaced, |
---|
744 | 744 | | capitalized, or underlined or otherwise conspicuously set out from |
---|
745 | 745 | | the surrounding written material; and |
---|
746 | 746 | | (2) appear directly above the buyer's signature. |
---|
747 | 747 | | (b) Any retail buyer's acknowledgment conforming to this |
---|
748 | 748 | | section of delivery of a copy of the retail installment contract is, |
---|
749 | 749 | | in an action or proceeding by or against a holder of the contract |
---|
750 | 750 | | who was without knowledge to the contrary when the holder purchased |
---|
751 | 751 | | it, conclusive proof: |
---|
752 | 752 | | (1) that the copy was delivered to the buyer; |
---|
753 | 753 | | (2) that the contract did not contain a blank space |
---|
754 | 754 | | that was required to have been completed under this chapter when the |
---|
755 | 755 | | contract was signed by the buyer; and |
---|
756 | 756 | | (3) of compliance with Sections 353.011, 353.101, |
---|
757 | 757 | | 353.205, 353.403, 353.404, and 353.405. |
---|
758 | 758 | | Sec. 353.113. AMENDMENT OF RETAIL INSTALLMENT CONTRACT. On |
---|
759 | 759 | | request by a retail buyer, the holder may agree to one or more |
---|
760 | 760 | | amendments to the retail installment contract to: |
---|
761 | 761 | | (1) extend or defer the scheduled due date of all or a |
---|
762 | 762 | | part of one or more installments; or |
---|
763 | 763 | | (2) renew, restate, or reschedule the unpaid balance |
---|
764 | 764 | | under the contract. |
---|
765 | 765 | | Sec. 353.114. CHARGES FOR DEFERRING INSTALLMENT. (a) If a |
---|
766 | 766 | | retail installment contract is amended to defer all or a part of one |
---|
767 | 767 | | or more installments for not longer than three months, the holder |
---|
768 | 768 | | may collect from the retail buyer: |
---|
769 | 769 | | (1) an amount computed on the amount deferred for the |
---|
770 | 770 | | period of deferment at a rate that does not exceed the effective |
---|
771 | 771 | | return for time price differential permitted for a monthly payment |
---|
772 | 772 | | retail installment contract; and |
---|
773 | 773 | | (2) the amount of the additional cost to the holder |
---|
774 | 774 | | for: |
---|
775 | 775 | | (A) premiums for continuing in force any |
---|
776 | 776 | | insurance coverages provided for by the contract; and |
---|
777 | 777 | | (B) any additional necessary official fees. |
---|
778 | 778 | | (b) The minimum charge under Subsection (a)(1) is $1. |
---|
779 | 779 | | Sec. 353.115. CHARGE FOR OTHER AMENDMENT. (a) If the |
---|
780 | 780 | | unpaid balance of a retail installment contract is extended, |
---|
781 | 781 | | renewed, restated, or rescheduled under this subchapter and Section |
---|
782 | 782 | | 353.114 does not apply, the holder may collect an amount computed on |
---|
783 | 783 | | the principal balance of the amended contract for the term of the |
---|
784 | 784 | | amended contract at the time price differential for a retail |
---|
785 | 785 | | installment contract that is applicable after reclassifying the |
---|
786 | 786 | | commercial vehicle by its model year at the time of the amendment. |
---|
787 | 787 | | (b) The principal balance of the amended contract is |
---|
788 | 788 | | computed by: |
---|
789 | 789 | | (1) adding: |
---|
790 | 790 | | (A) the unpaid balance as of the date of |
---|
791 | 791 | | amendment; |
---|
792 | 792 | | (B) the cost of any insurance incidental to the |
---|
793 | 793 | | amendment; |
---|
794 | 794 | | (C) the amount of each additional necessary |
---|
795 | 795 | | official fee; and |
---|
796 | 796 | | (D) the amount of each accrued delinquency or |
---|
797 | 797 | | collection charge; and |
---|
798 | 798 | | (2) if the time price differential was computed using |
---|
799 | 799 | | the precomputed earnings method or the scheduled installment |
---|
800 | 800 | | earnings method, subtracting from the total computed under |
---|
801 | 801 | | Subdivision (1) an amount equal to the prepayment refund credit |
---|
802 | 802 | | required by Section 353.120 or 353.121, as applicable. |
---|
803 | 803 | | (c) Subsection (b)(2) does not apply to a retail installment |
---|
804 | 804 | | contract in which the time price differential is computed using the |
---|
805 | 805 | | true daily earnings method. |
---|
806 | 806 | | (d) The provisions of this chapter relating to acquisition |
---|
807 | 807 | | costs under the refund schedule under Section 353.120 do not apply |
---|
808 | 808 | | in computing the principal balance of the amended contract. |
---|
809 | 809 | | Sec. 353.116. CONFIRMATION OF AMENDMENT. An amendment to a |
---|
810 | 810 | | retail installment contract must be confirmed in a writing signed |
---|
811 | 811 | | by the retail buyer. The holder shall: |
---|
812 | 812 | | (1) deliver a copy of the confirmation to the buyer; or |
---|
813 | 813 | | (2) mail a copy of the confirmation to the buyer at the |
---|
814 | 814 | | buyer's most recent address shown on the records of the holder. |
---|
815 | 815 | | Sec. 353.117. CONTRACT AFTER AMENDMENT. After amendment |
---|
816 | 816 | | the retail installment contract is the original contract and each |
---|
817 | 817 | | amendment to the original contract. |
---|
818 | 818 | | Sec. 353.118. PREPAYMENT OF CONTRACT. A retail buyer may |
---|
819 | 819 | | prepay a retail installment contract in full at any time before |
---|
820 | 820 | | maturity. This section prevails over a conflicting provision of the |
---|
821 | 821 | | contract. |
---|
822 | 822 | | Sec. 353.119. REFUND CREDIT ON PREPAYMENT. (a) This |
---|
823 | 823 | | section does not apply to a retail installment contract in which the |
---|
824 | 824 | | time price differential is computed using the true daily earnings |
---|
825 | 825 | | method. |
---|
826 | 826 | | (b) If a retail buyer prepays a retail installment contract |
---|
827 | 827 | | in full or if the holder of the contract demands payment of the |
---|
828 | 828 | | unpaid balance of the contract in full before the contract's final |
---|
829 | 829 | | installment is due and the time price differential is computed |
---|
830 | 830 | | using the precomputed earnings method or the scheduled installment |
---|
831 | 831 | | earnings method, the buyer is entitled to receive a refund credit as |
---|
832 | 832 | | provided by Section 353.120 or 353.121, as applicable. |
---|
833 | 833 | | Sec. 353.120. AMOUNT OF REFUND CREDIT FOR MONTHLY |
---|
834 | 834 | | INSTALLMENT CONTRACT. (a) This section: |
---|
835 | 835 | | (1) applies only to a refund credit on the prepayment |
---|
836 | 836 | | of a retail installment contract that is payable in substantially |
---|
837 | 837 | | equal successive monthly installments beginning one month after the |
---|
838 | 838 | | date of the contract; and |
---|
839 | 839 | | (2) does not apply to a retail installment contract in |
---|
840 | 840 | | which the time price differential is computed using the true daily |
---|
841 | 841 | | earnings method or the scheduled installment earnings method. |
---|
842 | 842 | | (b) On a contract for a commercial vehicle other than a |
---|
843 | 843 | | heavy commercial vehicle the minimum amount of the refund credit is |
---|
844 | 844 | | computed by: |
---|
845 | 845 | | (1) subtracting an acquisition cost of $25 from the |
---|
846 | 846 | | original time price differential; and |
---|
847 | 847 | | (2) multiplying the amount computed under Subdivision |
---|
848 | 848 | | (1) by the percentage of refund computed under Subsection (d). |
---|
849 | 849 | | (c) On a contract for a heavy commercial vehicle the minimum |
---|
850 | 850 | | amount of the refund credit is computed by: |
---|
851 | 851 | | (1) multiplying the amount of the original time price |
---|
852 | 852 | | differential by the percentage of refund computed under Subsection |
---|
853 | 853 | | (d); and |
---|
854 | 854 | | (2) subtracting an acquisition cost of $150 from the |
---|
855 | 855 | | amount computed under Subdivision (1). |
---|
856 | 856 | | (d) The percentage of refund is computed by: |
---|
857 | 857 | | (1) computing the sum of all of the monthly balances |
---|
858 | 858 | | under the contract's schedule of payments; and |
---|
859 | 859 | | (2) dividing the amount computed under Subdivision (1) |
---|
860 | 860 | | into the sum of the unpaid monthly balances under the contract's |
---|
861 | 861 | | schedule of payments beginning: |
---|
862 | 862 | | (A) on the first day, after the date of the |
---|
863 | 863 | | prepayment or demand for payment in full, that is the date of a |
---|
864 | 864 | | month that corresponds to the date of the month that the first |
---|
865 | 865 | | installment is due under the contract; or |
---|
866 | 866 | | (B) if the prepayment or demand for payment in |
---|
867 | 867 | | full is made before the first installment date under the contract, |
---|
868 | 868 | | one month after the next monthly anniversary date of the contract |
---|
869 | 869 | | occurring after the prepayment or demand. |
---|
870 | 870 | | (e) A refund credit is not required if the amount of the |
---|
871 | 871 | | refund credit is less than $1. |
---|
872 | 872 | | Sec. 353.121. REFUND ON CONTRACTS USING SCHEDULED |
---|
873 | 873 | | INSTALLMENT EARNINGS METHOD. (a) This section: |
---|
874 | 874 | | (1) applies to a retail installment contract: |
---|
875 | 875 | | (A) that includes precomputed time price |
---|
876 | 876 | | differential; and |
---|
877 | 877 | | (B) to which Section 353.120 does not apply; and |
---|
878 | 878 | | (2) does not apply to a retail installment contract in |
---|
879 | 879 | | which the time price differential is computed using the true daily |
---|
880 | 880 | | earnings method. |
---|
881 | 881 | | (b) If a retail installment contract is prepaid in full or |
---|
882 | 882 | | if the holder demands payment in full of the unpaid balance before |
---|
883 | 883 | | final maturity of the contract, the holder earns time price |
---|
884 | 884 | | differential for the period beginning on the date of the contract |
---|
885 | 885 | | and ending on the date of the earlier of the prepayment or demand, |
---|
886 | 886 | | in an amount that does not exceed the amount allowed by this |
---|
887 | 887 | | section. |
---|
888 | 888 | | (c) If prepayment in full or demand for payment in full |
---|
889 | 889 | | occurs during an installment period, the holder may retain, in |
---|
890 | 890 | | addition to time price differential that accrued during any elapsed |
---|
891 | 891 | | installment periods, an amount computed by: |
---|
892 | 892 | | (1) multiplying the simple annual rate under the |
---|
893 | 893 | | contract by the unpaid principal balance of the contract determined |
---|
894 | 894 | | according to the schedule of payments to be outstanding on the |
---|
895 | 895 | | preceding installment due date; |
---|
896 | 896 | | (2) dividing 365 into the product computed under |
---|
897 | 897 | | Subdivision (1); and |
---|
898 | 898 | | (3) multiplying the number of days in the period, |
---|
899 | 899 | | beginning on the day after the installment due date and ending on |
---|
900 | 900 | | the date of the earlier of the prepayment or demand, by the result |
---|
901 | 901 | | obtained under Subdivision (2). |
---|
902 | 902 | | (d) In addition to the earned time price differential |
---|
903 | 903 | | computed under this section, the holder may also earn a $150 |
---|
904 | 904 | | acquisition fee for a heavy commercial vehicle, or a $25 |
---|
905 | 905 | | acquisition fee for other commercial vehicles, if the sum of the |
---|
906 | 906 | | earned time price differential and the acquisition fee does not |
---|
907 | 907 | | exceed the time price differential disclosed in the contract. |
---|
908 | 908 | | (e) The holder shall refund or credit, as applicable, to the |
---|
909 | 909 | | retail buyer the amount computed by subtracting the total amount |
---|
910 | 910 | | earned or retained under Subsections (b), (c), and (d) from the |
---|
911 | 911 | | total amount of time price differential contracted for and |
---|
912 | 912 | | precomputed in the contract. |
---|
913 | 913 | | Sec. 353.122. REINSTATEMENT OF CONTRACT AFTER DEMAND FOR |
---|
914 | 914 | | PAYMENT. After a demand for payment in full under a retail |
---|
915 | 915 | | installment contract, the retail buyer and holder of the contract |
---|
916 | 916 | | may: |
---|
917 | 917 | | (1) agree to reinstate the contract; and |
---|
918 | 918 | | (2) amend the contract as provided by Section 353.113. |
---|
919 | 919 | | [Sections 353.123-353.200 reserved for expansion] |
---|
920 | 920 | | SUBCHAPTER C. INSURANCE |
---|
921 | 921 | | Sec. 353.201. PROPERTY INSURANCE. (a) A holder may require |
---|
922 | 922 | | a retail buyer to insure the commercial vehicle purchased under a |
---|
923 | 923 | | retail installment transaction and accessories and related goods |
---|
924 | 924 | | subject to the holder's security interest. |
---|
925 | 925 | | (b) The holder may offer to provide insurance on a |
---|
926 | 926 | | commercial vehicle purchased under a retail installment |
---|
927 | 927 | | transaction and accessories and related goods subject to the |
---|
928 | 928 | | holder's security interest, regardless of whether the holder |
---|
929 | 929 | | requires a retail buyer to insure the commercial vehicle. |
---|
930 | 930 | | (c) The insurance required by the holder, and the premiums |
---|
931 | 931 | | or charges for any insurance that is provided by the holder, must |
---|
932 | 932 | | bear a reasonable relationship to: |
---|
933 | 933 | | (1) the amount, term, and conditions of the retail |
---|
934 | 934 | | installment contract; and |
---|
935 | 935 | | (2) the existing hazards or risk of loss, damage, or |
---|
936 | 936 | | destruction. |
---|
937 | 937 | | (d) Any insurance under this section may not: |
---|
938 | 938 | | (1) cover unusual or exceptional risks; or |
---|
939 | 939 | | (2) provide coverage not ordinarily included in |
---|
940 | 940 | | policies issued to the public or for commercial purposes. |
---|
941 | 941 | | (e) The holder may include the cost of the insurance as a |
---|
942 | 942 | | separate charge in the contract. |
---|
943 | 943 | | Sec. 353.202. CREDIT LIFE AND CREDIT HEALTH AND ACCIDENT |
---|
944 | 944 | | INSURANCE. (a) A holder may require a retail buyer to provide |
---|
945 | 945 | | credit life insurance and credit health and accident insurance. |
---|
946 | 946 | | (b) The holder may offer to provide credit life insurance |
---|
947 | 947 | | and credit health and accident insurance, regardless of whether the |
---|
948 | 948 | | holder requires a retail buyer to provide the insurance under |
---|
949 | 949 | | Subsection (a). |
---|
950 | 950 | | (c) A retail seller may offer involuntary unemployment |
---|
951 | 951 | | insurance to the buyer at the time the contract is negotiated or |
---|
952 | 952 | | executed. |
---|
953 | 953 | | (d) A holder may include the cost of insurance provided |
---|
954 | 954 | | under this section, and a policy or agent fee charged in connection |
---|
955 | 955 | | with insurance provided under Subsection (b) or (c), as a separate |
---|
956 | 956 | | charge in the contract. |
---|
957 | 957 | | Sec. 353.203. MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF CREDIT LIFE AND CREDIT |
---|
958 | 958 | | HEALTH AND ACCIDENT COVERAGE. (a) At any time the total amount of |
---|
959 | 959 | | the policies of credit life insurance in force on one retail buyer |
---|
960 | 960 | | on one retail installment contract may not exceed: |
---|
961 | 961 | | (1) the total amount repayable under the contract; and |
---|
962 | 962 | | (2) the greater of the scheduled or actual amount of |
---|
963 | 963 | | unpaid indebtedness if the indebtedness is repayable in |
---|
964 | 964 | | substantially equal installments. |
---|
965 | 965 | | (b) At any time the total amount of the policies of credit |
---|
966 | 966 | | health and accident insurance in force on one retail buyer on one |
---|
967 | 967 | | retail installment contract may not exceed the total amount payable |
---|
968 | 968 | | under the contract, and the amount of each periodic indemnity |
---|
969 | 969 | | payment may not exceed the scheduled periodic payment on the |
---|
970 | 970 | | indebtedness. |
---|
971 | 971 | | Sec. 353.204. INSURANCE STATEMENT. (a) If insurance is |
---|
972 | 972 | | required in connection with a retail installment contract, the |
---|
973 | 973 | | holder shall give to the retail buyer a written statement that |
---|
974 | 974 | | clearly and conspicuously states that: |
---|
975 | 975 | | (1) insurance is required in connection with the |
---|
976 | 976 | | contract; and |
---|
977 | 977 | | (2) the buyer as an option may furnish the required |
---|
978 | 978 | | insurance through: |
---|
979 | 979 | | (A) an existing policy of insurance owned or |
---|
980 | 980 | | controlled by the buyer; or |
---|
981 | 981 | | (B) an insurance policy obtained through an |
---|
982 | 982 | | insurance company authorized to do business in this state. |
---|
983 | 983 | | (b) A statement under Subsection (a) may be provided with or |
---|
984 | 984 | | as part of the retail installment contract or separately. |
---|
985 | 985 | | Sec. 353.205. STATEMENT IF LIABILITY INSURANCE NOT INCLUDED |
---|
986 | 986 | | IN CONTRACT. If liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and |
---|
987 | 987 | | property damage caused to others is not included in a retail |
---|
988 | 988 | | installment contract, the retail installment contract or a separate |
---|
989 | 989 | | writing must contain, in at least 10-point type that is boldfaced, |
---|
990 | 990 | | capitalized, underlined, or otherwise conspicuously set out from |
---|
991 | 991 | | the surrounding written material, a specific statement that |
---|
992 | 992 | | liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage |
---|
993 | 993 | | caused to others is not included. |
---|
994 | 994 | | Sec. 353.206. BUYER'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF |
---|
995 | 995 | | INSURANCE. (a) If a retail buyer fails to present to the holder |
---|
996 | 996 | | reasonable evidence that the buyer has obtained or maintained a |
---|
997 | 997 | | coverage required by the retail installment contract, the holder |
---|
998 | 998 | | may: |
---|
999 | 999 | | (1) obtain substitute insurance coverage that is |
---|
1000 | 1000 | | substantially equal to or more limited than the coverage required; |
---|
1001 | 1001 | | and |
---|
1002 | 1002 | | (2) add the amount of the premium advanced for the |
---|
1003 | 1003 | | substitute insurance to the unpaid balance of the contract. |
---|
1004 | 1004 | | (b) Substitute insurance coverage under Subsection (a)(1): |
---|
1005 | 1005 | | (1) may at the holder's option be limited to coverage |
---|
1006 | 1006 | | only of the interest of the holder or the interest of the holder and |
---|
1007 | 1007 | | the buyer; and |
---|
1008 | 1008 | | (2) must be written at lawful rates in accordance with |
---|
1009 | 1009 | | the Insurance Code by a company authorized to do business in this |
---|
1010 | 1010 | | state. |
---|
1011 | 1011 | | (c) If substitute insurance is obtained by the holder under |
---|
1012 | 1012 | | Subsection (a), the amendment adding the premium or rescheduling |
---|
1013 | 1013 | | the contract is not required to be signed by the retail buyer. The |
---|
1014 | 1014 | | holder shall deliver to the buyer or send to the buyer's most recent |
---|
1015 | 1015 | | address shown on the records of the holder specific written notice |
---|
1016 | 1016 | | that the holder has obtained substitute insurance. |
---|
1017 | 1017 | | Sec. 353.207. CHARGES FOR OTHER INSURANCE AND FORMS OF |
---|
1018 | 1018 | | PROTECTION INCLUDED IN RETAIL INSTALLMENT CONTRACT. (a) A retail |
---|
1019 | 1019 | | installment contract may include as a separate charge an amount for |
---|
1020 | 1020 | | insurance coverage that is: |
---|
1021 | 1021 | | (1) for a risk of loss or liability reasonably related |
---|
1022 | 1022 | | to: |
---|
1023 | 1023 | | (A) the commercial vehicle; |
---|
1024 | 1024 | | (B) the use of the commercial vehicle; or |
---|
1025 | 1025 | | (C) goods or services that: |
---|
1026 | 1026 | | (i) are related to the commercial vehicle; |
---|
1027 | 1027 | | and |
---|
1028 | 1028 | | (ii) may ordinarily be insured with a |
---|
1029 | 1029 | | commercial vehicle; |
---|
1030 | 1030 | | (2) written on policies or endorsement forms |
---|
1031 | 1031 | | prescribed or approved by the commissioner of insurance; and |
---|
1032 | 1032 | | (3) ordinarily available in policies or endorsements |
---|
1033 | 1033 | | offered to the public or for commercial purposes. |
---|
1034 | 1034 | | (b) A retail installment contract may include as a separate |
---|
1035 | 1035 | | charge an amount for: |
---|
1036 | 1036 | | (1) motor vehicle property damage or bodily injury |
---|
1037 | 1037 | | liability insurance; |
---|
1038 | 1038 | | (2) mechanical breakdown insurance; |
---|
1039 | 1039 | | (3) participation in a motor vehicle theft protection |
---|
1040 | 1040 | | plan; |
---|
1041 | 1041 | | (4) insurance to pay all or part of the amount computed |
---|
1042 | 1042 | | by subtracting the proceeds of the retail buyer's basic collision |
---|
1043 | 1043 | | policy on the commercial vehicle from the amount owed on the vehicle |
---|
1044 | 1044 | | in the event of a total loss or theft of the vehicle; |
---|
1045 | 1045 | | (5) a warranty or service contract relating to the |
---|
1046 | 1046 | | commercial vehicle; |
---|
1047 | 1047 | | (6) an identity recovery service contract defined by |
---|
1048 | 1048 | | Section 1306.003, Occupations Code; or |
---|
1049 | 1049 | | (7) a debt cancellation agreement. |
---|
1050 | 1050 | | (c) Notwithstanding any other law, service contracts and |
---|
1051 | 1051 | | debt cancellation agreements sold by a retail seller of a |
---|
1052 | 1052 | | commercial vehicle to a retail buyer are not subject to Chapter 101 |
---|
1053 | 1053 | | or 226, Insurance Code. |
---|
1054 | 1054 | | (d) In addition to the charges for insurance coverage |
---|
1055 | 1055 | | permitted under Subsection (a) or (b), a retail installment |
---|
1056 | 1056 | | contract may include a charge for insurance coverage relating to: |
---|
1057 | 1057 | | (1) the commercial vehicle; |
---|
1058 | 1058 | | (2) the use of the commercial vehicle; or |
---|
1059 | 1059 | | (3) the retail installment contract. |
---|
1060 | 1060 | | (e) Insurance coverage under Subsection (d) may be provided |
---|
1061 | 1061 | | only by: |
---|
1062 | 1062 | | (1) an insurer authorized under the Insurance Code to |
---|
1063 | 1063 | | engage in the business of insurance in this state; or |
---|
1064 | 1064 | | (2) if permitted under the Insurance Code, a surplus |
---|
1065 | 1065 | | lines insurer eligible to provide the insurance under Chapter 981, |
---|
1066 | 1066 | | Insurance Code. |
---|
1067 | 1067 | | (f) A retail installment contract must set forth the amount |
---|
1068 | 1068 | | of each charge for insurance coverage under Subsection (d) and the |
---|
1069 | 1069 | | type of the coverage provided for that charge. |
---|
1070 | 1070 | | Sec. 353.208. HOLDER'S DUTY IF INSURANCE IS ADJUSTED OR |
---|
1071 | 1071 | | TERMINATED. (a) If insurance for which a charge is included in or |
---|
1072 | 1072 | | added to a retail installment contract is canceled, adjusted, or |
---|
1073 | 1073 | | terminated, the holder shall, at the holder's option: |
---|
1074 | 1074 | | (1) apply the amount of the refund for unearned |
---|
1075 | 1075 | | insurance premiums received by the holder to replace required |
---|
1076 | 1076 | | insurance coverage; or |
---|
1077 | 1077 | | (2) credit the refund to the final maturing |
---|
1078 | 1078 | | installments of the retail installment contract. |
---|
1079 | 1079 | | (b) If the amount to be applied or credited under Subsection |
---|
1080 | 1080 | | (a) is more than the amount unpaid on the retail installment |
---|
1081 | 1081 | | contract, the holder shall refund to the retail buyer the |
---|
1082 | 1082 | | difference between those amounts. |
---|
1083 | 1083 | | (c) A cash refund is not required under this section if the |
---|
1084 | 1084 | | amount of the refund is less than $1. |
---|
1085 | 1085 | | Sec. 353.209. GAIN OR ADVANTAGE FROM INSURANCE NOT |
---|
1086 | 1086 | | ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Any gain or advantage to the holder or the |
---|
1087 | 1087 | | holder's employee, officer, director, agent, general agent, |
---|
1088 | 1088 | | affiliate, or associate from insurance or the provision or sale of |
---|
1089 | 1089 | | insurance under this subchapter is not an additional charge or |
---|
1090 | 1090 | | additional time price differential in connection with a retail |
---|
1091 | 1091 | | installment contract except as specifically provided by this |
---|
1092 | 1092 | | chapter. |
---|
1093 | 1093 | | Sec. 353.210. ADDING TO RETAIL INSTALLMENT CONTRACT |
---|
1094 | 1094 | | PREMIUMS FOR INSURANCE ACQUIRED AFTER TRANSACTION. (a) A retail |
---|
1095 | 1095 | | buyer and holder may agree to add to the unpaid balance of a retail |
---|
1096 | 1096 | | installment contract premiums for insurance policies obtained |
---|
1097 | 1097 | | after the date of the retail installment transaction for coverages |
---|
1098 | 1098 | | of the types allowed under Sections 353.201, 353.202, and 353.207, |
---|
1099 | 1099 | | including premiums for the renewal of a policy included in the |
---|
1100 | 1100 | | contract. |
---|
1101 | 1101 | | (b) A policy of insurance described by Subsection (a) must |
---|
1102 | 1102 | | comply with the requirements of Sections 353.201, 353.202, 353.203, |
---|
1103 | 1103 | | and 353.207, as applicable. |
---|
1104 | 1104 | | Sec. 353.211. EFFECT OF ADDING PREMIUM TO CONTRACT. If a |
---|
1105 | 1105 | | premium is added to the unpaid balance of a retail installment |
---|
1106 | 1106 | | contract under Section 353.206 or 353.210, the rate applicable to |
---|
1107 | 1107 | | the time price differential agreed to in the retail installment |
---|
1108 | 1108 | | contract remains in effect and shall be applied to the new unpaid |
---|
1109 | 1109 | | balance, or the contract may be rescheduled in accordance with |
---|
1110 | 1110 | | Sections 353.114 and 353.115, without reclassifying the commercial |
---|
1111 | 1111 | | vehicle by its year model at the time of the amendment. |
---|
1112 | 1112 | | Sec. 353.212. FINANCING ENTITY MAY NOT REQUIRE INSURANCE |
---|
1113 | 1113 | | FROM PARTICULAR SOURCE. If a retail installment contract presented |
---|
1114 | 1114 | | to a financing entity for acceptance includes any insurance |
---|
1115 | 1115 | | coverage, the financing entity may not directly or indirectly |
---|
1116 | 1116 | | require, as a condition of its agreement to finance the commercial |
---|
1117 | 1117 | | vehicle, that the retail buyer purchase the insurance coverage from |
---|
1118 | 1118 | | a particular source. |
---|
1119 | 1119 | | [Sections 353.213-353.300 reserved for expansion] |
---|
1120 | 1120 | | SUBCHAPTER D. ACQUISITION OF CONTRACT OR BALANCE |
---|
1121 | 1121 | | Sec. 353.301. AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE. A person may acquire a |
---|
1122 | 1122 | | retail installment contract or an outstanding balance under a |
---|
1123 | 1123 | | contract from another person on the terms, including the price, to |
---|
1124 | 1124 | | which they agree. Notwithstanding any other law of this state, a |
---|
1125 | 1125 | | person acquiring or assigning a retail installment contract, or any |
---|
1126 | 1126 | | balance under a contract, does not have a duty to disclose to any |
---|
1127 | 1127 | | other person the terms on which a contract or balance under a |
---|
1128 | 1128 | | contract is acquired or assigned, including the consideration for |
---|
1129 | 1129 | | the acquisition or assignment and any discount or difference |
---|
1130 | 1130 | | between the rates, charges, or balance under the contract and the |
---|
1131 | 1131 | | consideration rates, charges, or balance acquired or assigned, as |
---|
1132 | 1132 | | applicable. |
---|
1133 | 1133 | | Sec. 353.302. LACK OF NOTICE DOES NOT AFFECT VALIDITY AS TO |
---|
1134 | 1134 | | CERTAIN CREDITORS. Notice to a retail buyer of an assignment or |
---|
1135 | 1135 | | negotiation of a retail installment contract or an outstanding |
---|
1136 | 1136 | | balance under the contract or a requirement that the retail seller |
---|
1137 | 1137 | | be deprived of dominion over payments on a retail installment |
---|
1138 | 1138 | | contract or over the commercial vehicle if returned to or |
---|
1139 | 1139 | | repossessed by the retail seller is not necessary for a written |
---|
1140 | 1140 | | assignment or negotiation of the contract or balance to be valid as |
---|
1141 | 1141 | | against a creditor, subsequent purchaser, pledgee, mortgagee, or |
---|
1142 | 1142 | | lien claimant of the retail seller. |
---|
1143 | 1143 | | Sec. 353.303. PAYMENT BY BUYER. Unless a retail buyer has |
---|
1144 | 1144 | | notice of the assignment or negotiation of the buyer's retail |
---|
1145 | 1145 | | installment contract or an outstanding balance under the contract, |
---|
1146 | 1146 | | a payment by the buyer to the most recent holder known to the buyer |
---|
1147 | 1147 | | is binding on all subsequent holders. |
---|
1148 | 1148 | | [Sections 353.304-353.400 reserved for expansion] |
---|
1149 | 1149 | | SUBCHAPTER E. HOLDER'S RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND LIMITATIONS |
---|
1150 | 1150 | | Sec. 353.401. SELLER'S PROMISE TO PAY OR TENDER OF CASH TO |
---|
1151 | 1151 | | BUYER AS PART OF TRANSACTION. A retail seller may not promise to |
---|
1152 | 1152 | | pay, pay, or otherwise tender cash to a retail buyer as a part of a |
---|
1153 | 1153 | | transaction under this chapter unless specifically authorized by |
---|
1154 | 1154 | | this chapter. |
---|
1155 | 1155 | | Sec. 353.402. SELLER'S ACTION FOR INCENTIVE PROGRAM OR TO |
---|
1156 | 1156 | | PAY FOR BUYER'S MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) A retail seller may pay, |
---|
1157 | 1157 | | promise to pay, or tender cash or another thing of value to the |
---|
1158 | 1158 | | manufacturer, distributor, or retail buyer of the product if the |
---|
1159 | 1159 | | payment, promise, or tender is made in order to participate in a |
---|
1160 | 1160 | | financial incentive program offered by the manufacturer or |
---|
1161 | 1161 | | distributor of the vehicle to the buyer. |
---|
1162 | 1162 | | (b) A retail seller, in connection with a retail installment |
---|
1163 | 1163 | | transaction, may: |
---|
1164 | 1164 | | (1) advance money to retire: |
---|
1165 | 1165 | | (A) an amount owed against a motor vehicle used |
---|
1166 | 1166 | | as a trade-in or a motor vehicle owned by the buyer that has been |
---|
1167 | 1167 | | declared a total loss by the buyer's insurer; or |
---|
1168 | 1168 | | (B) the retail buyer's outstanding obligation |
---|
1169 | 1169 | | under a motor vehicle lease contract, a credit transaction for the |
---|
1170 | 1170 | | purchase of a motor vehicle, or another retail installment |
---|
1171 | 1171 | | transaction; and |
---|
1172 | 1172 | | (2) finance repayment of that money in a retail |
---|
1173 | 1173 | | installment contract. |
---|
1174 | 1174 | | (c) A retail seller may pay in cash to the retail buyer any |
---|
1175 | 1175 | | portion of the net cash value of a motor vehicle owned by the buyer |
---|
1176 | 1176 | | and used as a trade-in in a transaction involving the sale of a |
---|
1177 | 1177 | | commercial vehicle. In this subsection, "net cash value" means the |
---|
1178 | 1178 | | cash value of a motor vehicle after payment of all amounts secured |
---|
1179 | 1179 | | by the motor vehicle. |
---|
1180 | 1180 | | Sec. 353.403. STATEMENT OF PAYMENTS AND AMOUNT DUE UNDER |
---|
1181 | 1181 | | CONTRACT. (a) On written request of a retail buyer, the holder of a |
---|
1182 | 1182 | | retail installment contract shall give or send to the buyer a |
---|
1183 | 1183 | | written statement of the dates and amounts of payments and the total |
---|
1184 | 1184 | | amount unpaid under the contract. |
---|
1185 | 1185 | | (b) A retail buyer is entitled to one statement during a |
---|
1186 | 1186 | | six-month period without charge. The charge for each additional |
---|
1187 | 1187 | | requested statement may not exceed $1. |
---|
1188 | 1188 | | Sec. 353.404. RECEIPT FOR CASH PAYMENT. A holder of a |
---|
1189 | 1189 | | retail installment contract shall give the retail buyer a written |
---|
1190 | 1190 | | receipt for each cash payment. |
---|
1191 | 1191 | | Sec. 353.405. OUTSTANDING BALANCE INFORMATION; PAYMENT IN |
---|
1192 | 1192 | | FULL. (a) The holder of a retail installment contract who gives |
---|
1193 | 1193 | | the retail buyer or the buyer's designee outstanding balance |
---|
1194 | 1194 | | information relating to the contract is bound by that information |
---|
1195 | 1195 | | and shall honor that information for a reasonable time. |
---|
1196 | 1196 | | (b) If the retail buyer or the buyer's designee tenders to |
---|
1197 | 1197 | | the holder as payment in full an amount derived from that |
---|
1198 | 1198 | | outstanding balance information, the holder shall: |
---|
1199 | 1199 | | (1) accept the amount as payment in full; and |
---|
1200 | 1200 | | (2) release the holder's lien against the commercial |
---|
1201 | 1201 | | vehicle within a reasonable time not later than the 10th day after |
---|
1202 | 1202 | | the date on which the amount is tendered. |
---|
1203 | 1203 | | (c) A retail seller must pay in full the outstanding balance |
---|
1204 | 1204 | | of a vehicle traded in to the retail seller as part of the retail |
---|
1205 | 1205 | | installment transaction not later than the 25th day after the date |
---|
1206 | 1206 | | that: |
---|
1207 | 1207 | | (1) the retail installment contract is signed by the |
---|
1208 | 1208 | | retail buyer and the retail buyer receives delivery of the |
---|
1209 | 1209 | | commercial vehicle; and |
---|
1210 | 1210 | | (2) the retail seller receives delivery of the motor |
---|
1211 | 1211 | | vehicle traded in and the necessary and appropriate documents to |
---|
1212 | 1212 | | transfer title from the buyer. |
---|
1213 | 1213 | | Sec. 353.406. LIABILITY RELATING TO OUTSTANDING BALANCE |
---|
1214 | 1214 | | INFORMATION. A holder who violates Section 353.405 is liable to the |
---|
1215 | 1215 | | retail buyer or the buyer's designee in an amount computed by |
---|
1216 | 1216 | | adding: |
---|
1217 | 1217 | | (1) three times the difference between the amount |
---|
1218 | 1218 | | tendered and the amount sought by the holder at the time of tender; |
---|
1219 | 1219 | | (2) interest; |
---|
1220 | 1220 | | (3) reasonable attorney's fees; and |
---|
1221 | 1221 | | (4) costs. |
---|
1222 | 1222 | | Sec. 353.407. PROHIBITION ON POWER OF ATTORNEY TO CONFESS |
---|
1223 | 1223 | | JUDGMENT OR ASSIGNMENT OF WAGES. A retail installment contract may |
---|
1224 | 1224 | | not contain: |
---|
1225 | 1225 | | (1) a power of attorney to confess judgment in this |
---|
1226 | 1226 | | state; or |
---|
1227 | 1227 | | (2) an assignment of wages. |
---|
1228 | 1228 | | Sec. 353.408. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN ACTS OF REPOSSESSION. |
---|
1229 | 1229 | | A retail installment contract may not: |
---|
1230 | 1230 | | (1) authorize the holder or a person acting on the |
---|
1231 | 1231 | | holder's behalf to: |
---|
1232 | 1232 | | (A) enter the retail buyer's premises in |
---|
1233 | 1233 | | violation of Chapter 9, Business & Commerce Code; or |
---|
1234 | 1234 | | (B) commit a breach of the peace in the |
---|
1235 | 1235 | | repossession of the commercial vehicle; or |
---|
1236 | 1236 | | (2) contain, or provide for the execution of, a power |
---|
1237 | 1237 | | of attorney by the retail buyer appointing, as the buyer's agent in |
---|
1238 | 1238 | | the repossession of the vehicle, the holder or a person acting on |
---|
1239 | 1239 | | the holder's behalf. |
---|
1240 | 1240 | | Sec. 353.409. BUYER'S WAIVER. (a) A retail installment |
---|
1241 | 1241 | | contract may not: |
---|
1242 | 1242 | | (1) provide for a waiver of the retail buyer's rights |
---|
1243 | 1243 | | of action against the holder or a person acting on the holder's |
---|
1244 | 1244 | | behalf for an illegal act committed in: |
---|
1245 | 1245 | | (A) the collection of payments under the |
---|
1246 | 1246 | | contract; or |
---|
1247 | 1247 | | (B) the repossession of the commercial vehicle; |
---|
1248 | 1248 | | or |
---|
1249 | 1249 | | (2) provide that the retail buyer agrees not to assert |
---|
1250 | 1250 | | against the holder a claim or defense arising out of the sale. |
---|
1251 | 1251 | | (b) An act or agreement of the retail buyer before or at the |
---|
1252 | 1252 | | time of the making of a retail installment contract or a purchase |
---|
1253 | 1253 | | under the contract does not waive any provision of this chapter. |
---|
1254 | 1254 | | Sec. 353.410. TRANSFER OF EQUITY. (a) With the written |
---|
1255 | 1255 | | consent of the holder, a retail buyer may transfer at any time the |
---|
1256 | 1256 | | buyer's equity in the commercial vehicle subject to the retail |
---|
1257 | 1257 | | installment contract to another person. |
---|
1258 | 1258 | | (b) The holder may charge for the transfer of equity an |
---|
1259 | 1259 | | amount that does not exceed: |
---|
1260 | 1260 | | (1) $25 for a commercial vehicle that is not a heavy |
---|
1261 | 1261 | | commercial vehicle; or |
---|
1262 | 1262 | | (2) $50 for a heavy commercial vehicle. |
---|
1263 | 1263 | | [Sections 353.411-353.500 reserved for expansion] |
---|
1264 | 1264 | | SUBCHAPTER F. LICENSING; ADMINISTRATION OF CHAPTER |
---|
1265 | 1265 | | Sec. 353.501. LICENSE REQUIRED. (a) A person may not act |
---|
1266 | 1266 | | as a holder under this chapter unless the person: |
---|
1267 | 1267 | | (1) is an authorized lender or a credit union; or |
---|
1268 | 1268 | | (2) holds a license issued under Chapter 348 or this |
---|
1269 | 1269 | | chapter. |
---|
1270 | 1270 | | (b) A person who is required to hold a license under this |
---|
1271 | 1271 | | chapter must ensure that each office at which retail installment |
---|
1272 | 1272 | | transactions are made, serviced, held, or collected under this |
---|
1273 | 1273 | | chapter is licensed or otherwise authorized to make, service, hold, |
---|
1274 | 1274 | | or collect retail installment transactions in accordance with this |
---|
1275 | 1275 | | chapter and rules implementing this chapter. |
---|
1276 | 1276 | | (c) A person may not use any device, subterfuge, or pretense |
---|
1277 | 1277 | | to evade the application of this section. |
---|
1278 | 1278 | | Sec. 353.502. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS. (a) The |
---|
1279 | 1279 | | application for a license under this chapter must: |
---|
1280 | 1280 | | (1) be under oath; |
---|
1281 | 1281 | | (2) identify the applicant's principal parties in |
---|
1282 | 1282 | | interest; and |
---|
1283 | 1283 | | (3) contain other relevant information that the |
---|
1284 | 1284 | | commissioner requires. |
---|
1285 | 1285 | | (b) On the filing of a license application, the applicant |
---|
1286 | 1286 | | shall pay to the commissioner: |
---|
1287 | 1287 | | (1) an investigation fee not to exceed $200; and |
---|
1288 | 1288 | | (2) for the license's year of issuance, a license fee |
---|
1289 | 1289 | | in an amount determined as provided by Section 14.107. |
---|
1290 | 1290 | | Sec. 353.503. INVESTIGATION OF APPLICATION. On the filing |
---|
1291 | 1291 | | of an application and payment of the required fees, the |
---|
1292 | 1292 | | commissioner shall conduct an investigation to determine whether to |
---|
1293 | 1293 | | issue the license. |
---|
1294 | 1294 | | Sec. 353.504. APPROVAL OR DENIAL OF APPLICATION. (a) The |
---|
1295 | 1295 | | commissioner shall approve the application and issue to the |
---|
1296 | 1296 | | applicant a license under this chapter if the commissioner finds |
---|
1297 | 1297 | | that the financial responsibility, experience, character, and |
---|
1298 | 1298 | | general fitness of the applicant are sufficient to: |
---|
1299 | 1299 | | (1) command the confidence of the public; and |
---|
1300 | 1300 | | (2) warrant the belief that the business will be |
---|
1301 | 1301 | | operated lawfully and fairly, within the purposes of this chapter. |
---|
1302 | 1302 | | (b) If the commissioner does not find the eligibility |
---|
1303 | 1303 | | requirements of Subsection (a), the commissioner shall notify the |
---|
1304 | 1304 | | applicant. |
---|
1305 | 1305 | | (c) If an applicant requests a hearing on the application |
---|
1306 | 1306 | | not later than the 30th day after the date of notification under |
---|
1307 | 1307 | | Subsection (b), the applicant is entitled to a hearing not later |
---|
1308 | 1308 | | than the 60th day after the date of the request. |
---|
1309 | 1309 | | (d) The commissioner shall approve or deny the application |
---|
1310 | 1310 | | not later than the 60th day after the date of the filing of a |
---|
1311 | 1311 | | completed application with payment of the required fees, or if a |
---|
1312 | 1312 | | hearing is held, after the date of the completion of the hearing on |
---|
1313 | 1313 | | the application. The commissioner and the applicant may agree to a |
---|
1314 | 1314 | | later date in writing. |
---|
1315 | 1315 | | Sec. 353.505. DISPOSITION OF FEES ON DENIAL OF APPLICATION. |
---|
1316 | 1316 | | If the commissioner denies the application, the commissioner shall |
---|
1317 | 1317 | | retain the investigation fee and shall return to the applicant the |
---|
1318 | 1318 | | license fee submitted with the application. |
---|
1319 | 1319 | | Sec. 353.506. ANNUAL LICENSE FEE. Not later than December |
---|
1320 | 1320 | | 1, a license holder shall pay to the commissioner for each license |
---|
1321 | 1321 | | held an annual fee for the year beginning the next January 1, in an |
---|
1322 | 1322 | | amount determined as provided by Section 14.107. |
---|
1323 | 1323 | | Sec. 353.507. EXPIRATION OF LICENSE ON FAILURE TO PAY |
---|
1324 | 1324 | | ANNUAL FEE. If the annual fee for a license is not paid before the |
---|
1325 | 1325 | | 16th day after the date on which the written notice of delinquency |
---|
1326 | 1326 | | of payment has been given to the license holder, the license expires |
---|
1327 | 1327 | | on the later of: |
---|
1328 | 1328 | | (1) that day; or |
---|
1329 | 1329 | | (2) December 31 of the last year for which an annual |
---|
1330 | 1330 | | fee was paid. |
---|
1331 | 1331 | | Sec. 353.508. LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION. After |
---|
1332 | 1332 | | notice and a hearing the commissioner may suspend or revoke a |
---|
1333 | 1333 | | license if the commissioner finds that: |
---|
1334 | 1334 | | (1) the license holder failed to pay the annual |
---|
1335 | 1335 | | license fee, an investigation fee, or another charge imposed by the |
---|
1336 | 1336 | | commissioner; |
---|
1337 | 1337 | | (2) the license holder, knowingly or without the |
---|
1338 | 1338 | | exercise of due care, violated this chapter or a rule adopted or |
---|
1339 | 1339 | | order issued under this chapter; or |
---|
1340 | 1340 | | (3) a fact or condition exists that, if it had existed |
---|
1341 | 1341 | | or had been known to exist at the time of the original application |
---|
1342 | 1342 | | for the license, clearly would have justified the commissioner's |
---|
1343 | 1343 | | denial of the application. |
---|
1344 | 1344 | | Sec. 353.509. REINSTATEMENT OF SUSPENDED LICENSE; ISSUANCE |
---|
1345 | 1345 | | OF NEW LICENSE AFTER REVOCATION. The commissioner may reinstate a |
---|
1346 | 1346 | | suspended license or issue a new license on application to a person |
---|
1347 | 1347 | | whose license has been revoked if at the time of the reinstatement |
---|
1348 | 1348 | | or issuance no fact or condition exists that clearly would have |
---|
1349 | 1349 | | justified the commissioner's denial of an original application for |
---|
1350 | 1350 | | the license. |
---|
1351 | 1351 | | Sec. 353.510. SURRENDER OF LICENSE. A license holder may |
---|
1352 | 1352 | | surrender a license issued under this chapter by delivering to the |
---|
1353 | 1353 | | commissioner: |
---|
1354 | 1354 | | (1) the license; and |
---|
1355 | 1355 | | (2) a written notice of the license's surrender. |
---|
1356 | 1356 | | Sec. 353.511. EFFECT OF LICENSE SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR |
---|
1357 | 1357 | | SURRENDER. (a) The suspension, revocation, or surrender of a |
---|
1358 | 1358 | | license issued under this chapter does not affect the obligation of |
---|
1359 | 1359 | | a contract between the license holder and a retail buyer entered |
---|
1360 | 1360 | | into before the suspension, revocation, or surrender. |
---|
1361 | 1361 | | (b) Surrender of a license does not affect the license |
---|
1362 | 1362 | | holder's civil or criminal liability for an act committed before |
---|
1363 | 1363 | | surrender. |
---|
1364 | 1364 | | Sec. 353.512. TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT OF LICENSE. A license |
---|
1365 | 1365 | | may be transferred or assigned only with the approval of the |
---|
1366 | 1366 | | commissioner. |
---|
1367 | 1367 | | Sec. 353.513. ADOPTION OF RULES. (a) The finance |
---|
1368 | 1368 | | commission may adopt rules to enforce this chapter. |
---|
1369 | 1369 | | (b) The commissioner shall recommend proposed rules to the |
---|
1370 | 1370 | | finance commission. |
---|
1371 | 1371 | | Sec. 353.514. GENERAL INVESTIGATION. To discover a |
---|
1372 | 1372 | | violation of this chapter or to obtain information required under |
---|
1373 | 1373 | | this chapter, the commissioner or the commissioner's |
---|
1374 | 1374 | | representative may investigate the records, including books, |
---|
1375 | 1375 | | accounts, papers, and correspondence, of a person, including a |
---|
1376 | 1376 | | license holder, who the commissioner has reasonable cause to |
---|
1377 | 1377 | | believe is violating this chapter, regardless of whether the person |
---|
1378 | 1378 | | claims to not be subject to this chapter. |
---|
1379 | 1379 | | Sec. 353.515. SHARING OF INFORMATION. To ensure consistent |
---|
1380 | 1380 | | enforcement of law and minimization of regulatory burdens, the |
---|
1381 | 1381 | | commissioner and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may share |
---|
1382 | 1382 | | information, including criminal history information, relating to a |
---|
1383 | 1383 | | person licensed under this chapter. Information otherwise |
---|
1384 | 1384 | | confidential remains confidential after it is shared under this |
---|
1385 | 1385 | | section. |
---|
1386 | 1386 | | SECTION 18. Section 411.095, Government Code, is amended to |
---|
1387 | 1387 | | read as follows: |
---|
1388 | 1388 | | Sec. 411.095. ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD |
---|
1389 | 1389 | | INFORMATION: CONSUMER CREDIT COMMISSIONER. The consumer credit |
---|
1390 | 1390 | | commissioner is entitled to obtain from the department criminal |
---|
1391 | 1391 | | history record information that relates to a person who is an |
---|
1392 | 1392 | | applicant for or holder of a license under Chapter 342, 347, 348, |
---|
1393 | 1393 | | 351, 353, or 371, Finance Code. |
---|
1394 | 1394 | | SECTION 19. Section 1304.003(b), Occupations Code, is |
---|
1395 | 1395 | | amended to read as follows: |
---|
1396 | 1396 | | (b) A service contract may also provide for: |
---|
1397 | 1397 | | (1) incidental payment or indemnity under limited |
---|
1398 | 1398 | | circumstances, including towing, rental, and emergency road |
---|
1399 | 1399 | | service; |
---|
1400 | 1400 | | (2) the repair or replacement of a product for damage |
---|
1401 | 1401 | | resulting from a power surge or for accidental damage incurred in |
---|
1402 | 1402 | | handling the product; or |
---|
1403 | 1403 | | (3) identity recovery, as defined by Section 1306.002, |
---|
1404 | 1404 | | if the service contract is financed under Chapter 348 or 353, |
---|
1405 | 1405 | | Finance Code. |
---|
1406 | 1406 | | SECTION 20. Section 1306.003, Occupations Code, is amended |
---|
1407 | 1407 | | to read as follows: |
---|
1408 | 1408 | | Sec. 1306.003. IDENTITY RECOVERY SERVICE CONTRACT. In this |
---|
1409 | 1409 | | chapter, "identity recovery service contract" means an agreement: |
---|
1410 | 1410 | | (1) to provide identity recovery; |
---|
1411 | 1411 | | (2) that is entered into for a separately stated |
---|
1412 | 1412 | | consideration and for a specified term; and |
---|
1413 | 1413 | | (3) that is financed through a retail installment |
---|
1414 | 1414 | | contract under Chapter 348 or 353, Finance Code. |
---|
1415 | 1415 | | SECTION 21. Section 2305.007(b), Occupations Code, is |
---|
1416 | 1416 | | amended to read as follows: |
---|
1417 | 1417 | | (b) For the purposes of tracing or locating a stolen motor |
---|
1418 | 1418 | | vehicle on the premises of a person engaging in a business or |
---|
1419 | 1419 | | activity regulated under this chapter who is also licensed under |
---|
1420 | 1420 | | Chapter 348 or 353, Finance Code, only an officer of the Department |
---|
1421 | 1421 | | of Public Safety may at a reasonable time: |
---|
1422 | 1422 | | (1) enter the premises of the person's business; and |
---|
1423 | 1423 | | (2) inspect or copy any document, record, vehicle, |
---|
1424 | 1424 | | part, or other item regulated under: |
---|
1425 | 1425 | | (A) this chapter; or |
---|
1426 | 1426 | | (B) Chapter 348 or 353, Finance Code. |
---|
1427 | 1427 | | SECTION 22. Section 2306.003(c), Occupations Code, is |
---|
1428 | 1428 | | amended to read as follows: |
---|
1429 | 1429 | | (c) A vehicle protection product may also include identity |
---|
1430 | 1430 | | recovery, as defined by Section 1306.002, if the vehicle protection |
---|
1431 | 1431 | | product is financed under Chapter 348 or 353, Finance Code. |
---|
1432 | 1432 | | SECTION 23. Section 152.002(b), Tax Code, is amended to |
---|
1433 | 1433 | | read as follows: |
---|
1434 | 1434 | | (b) "Total consideration" does not include: |
---|
1435 | 1435 | | (1) a cash discount; |
---|
1436 | 1436 | | (2) a full cash or credit refund to a customer of the |
---|
1437 | 1437 | | sales price of a motor vehicle returned to the seller; |
---|
1438 | 1438 | | (3) the amount charged for labor or service rendered |
---|
1439 | 1439 | | in installing, applying, remodeling, or repairing the motor vehicle |
---|
1440 | 1440 | | sold; |
---|
1441 | 1441 | | (4) a financing, carrying, or service charge or |
---|
1442 | 1442 | | interest on credit extended on a motor vehicle sold under a |
---|
1443 | 1443 | | conditional sale or other deferred payment contract; |
---|
1444 | 1444 | | (5) the value of a motor vehicle taken by a seller as |
---|
1445 | 1445 | | all or a part of the consideration for sale of another motor |
---|
1446 | 1446 | | vehicle, including any cash payment to the buyer under Section |
---|
1447 | 1447 | | 348.404 or 353.402, Finance Code; |
---|
1448 | 1448 | | (6) a charge for transportation of the motor vehicle |
---|
1449 | 1449 | | after a sale; |
---|
1450 | 1450 | | (7) motor vehicle inventory tax; or |
---|
1451 | 1451 | | (8) an amount made available to the customer under |
---|
1452 | 1452 | | Subchapter G, Chapter 382, Health and Safety Code. |
---|
1453 | 1453 | | SECTION 24. Section 501.115(a), Transportation Code, is |
---|
1454 | 1454 | | amended to read as follows: |
---|
1455 | 1455 | | (a) When a debt or claim secured by a lien has been |
---|
1456 | 1456 | | satisfied, the lienholder shall, within a reasonable time not to |
---|
1457 | 1457 | | exceed the maximum time allowed by Section 348.408 or 353.405(b), |
---|
1458 | 1458 | | Finance Code, as applicable, execute and deliver to the owner, or |
---|
1459 | 1459 | | the owner's designee, a discharge of the lien on a form prescribed |
---|
1460 | 1460 | | by the department. |
---|
1461 | 1461 | | SECTION 25. Section 26.342(7), Water Code, is amended to |
---|
1462 | 1462 | | read as follows: |
---|
1463 | 1463 | | (7) "Lender" means: |
---|
1464 | 1464 | | (A) a state or national bank; |
---|
1465 | 1465 | | (B) a state or federal savings and loan |
---|
1466 | 1466 | | association or savings bank; |
---|
1467 | 1467 | | (C) a credit union; |
---|
1468 | 1468 | | (D) a state or federal agency that customarily |
---|
1469 | 1469 | | provides financing; or |
---|
1470 | 1470 | | (E) an entity that is registered with the Office |
---|
1471 | 1471 | | of Consumer Credit Commissioner pursuant to Chapter 348 or 353, |
---|
1472 | 1472 | | Finance Code, if the entity is regularly engaged in the business of |
---|
1473 | 1473 | | extending credit and if extending credit represents the majority of |
---|
1474 | 1474 | | the entity's total business activity. |
---|
1475 | 1475 | | SECTION 26. The following provisions of the Finance Code |
---|
1476 | 1476 | | are repealed: |
---|
1477 | 1477 | | (1) Section 348.007(a-2), as added by Chapter 238 |
---|
1478 | 1478 | | (S.B. 1965), Acts of the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009; |
---|
1479 | 1479 | | (2) Section 348.007(a-2), as added by Chapter 676 |
---|
1480 | 1480 | | (H.B. 2438), Acts of the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009; |
---|
1481 | 1481 | | and |
---|
1482 | 1482 | | (3) Sections 348.0051, 348.006(j), 348.120(c), and |
---|
1483 | 1483 | | 348.208(d), (e), and (f). |
---|
1484 | 1484 | | SECTION 27. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |
---|
1485 | 1485 | | * * * * * |
---|